HSR Institute Complex, Competition

The intertwined volumes situated at an open square.

Project details

• Project Name: HSR Institute Complex, Competition
• Location of Site: Rapperswil, Switzerland
• Design Team: Andrea Ringli, Philip Loskant
• Project Type: Institutional
• Client: HSR Rapperswil
• Contractor/s: HSR Rapperswil
• Site Area: 19,100 sq m
• Built-up Area: 2700 sq m
• Cost of Construction: 6.2 Mil CHF
• Date of completion: Competition 02/2008

Words from the architect

The HSR Rapperswil, a polytechnic university at the upper lake of Zurich, was asking for an additional building for institutional offices, laboratories, lecture hall and cafeteria.

The inner atrium.

The building design is formed by two intertwined rectangular cubes. While the large one houses office space, the much smaller one is occupied by lecture hall and cafeteria. The outer surface of both cubes is formed by a ephemere pattern of sun shields, changing its appearance depending on the point of view.

Due to the dynamic, soft soil on the lake site, the building is planed in a light wooden frame construction, while the sun shield featured, glazed facade expresses the same lightness.

Lecture hall with wooden ceiling.

The design features an inner atrium which is the central circulation space from which all offices are serviced. Lecture hall and cafeteria in the basement are accessible through a central foyer.

Credits

• Text: Philip Loskant
• Photographs: Visualisations P. Loskant and A. Ringli