Multi-story building with beige lower section, blue upper section, large windows, graffiti, and parked vehicles.

A multi-story building with a beige lower section and a blue upper section, featuring large windows. The building has graffiti on the lower walls and a number '29' sign. There are cars parked in front and a truck with 'frische tische' written on it. Trees are visible on the right side.

A multi-story building with a blue corrugated metal facade and external staircases. The roof features a sloped design with gravel and vegetation. The building has large windows and a concrete vertical element.
A multi-story building with blue corrugated metal siding and large windows, featuring a rooftop terrace with people sitting under colorful umbrellas. The terrace is surrounded by railings and has potted plants. The building is adjacent to a green area with trees.
A modern building with blue corrugated metal siding and an external staircase.
A building with a blue corrugated metal facade featuring multiple windows and balconies. The roof has a distinctive angular design. In front of the building, there is a paved area with colorful outdoor furniture, potted plants, and a small gravel section.
A modern building with a blue corrugated metal facade and multiple balconies. The structure features a flat roof with overhangs and a communal outdoor area with colorful chairs and a table under a small umbrella. The ground is partially covered with gravel and there are some plants and potted greenery.
A blue corrugated metal facade with large windows and visible piping, adjacent to a tree.
A long exterior walkway with a metal railing and a blue corrugated wall on one side. There is a white chair placed along the walkway, and a fire extinguisher is mounted on the wall. The ceiling is made of metal panels, and trees are visible in the background.
Interior view of a modern space with wooden walls and ceiling, featuring a staircase leading to an upper gallery level. The room has multiple square windows on one side and a concrete floor.
Interior view of a modern space with wooden walls and ceiling, featuring a staircase leading to an upper gallery level.
Interior view of a modern space with wooden walls and ceiling, featuring a corrugated metal light fixture and multiple windows.
Interior view of a modern space featuring light wooden walls, a diagonal wooden beam, exposed pipes, and a kitchen area with gray cabinets. Two bright orange doors add a pop of color to the space. A large round light fixture hangs from the ceiling.
Interior view of a modern office space with wooden elements, large windows, and simple wooden desks.
Interior view of a room with large windows overlooking greenery, featuring smooth plastered walls and a wooden ceiling.
Architectural elevation drawings showing the south and west views of a building, with detailed annotations and measurements.
Architectural drawings showing the north and east elevations of a building.
Architectural floor plan of a building with various rooms and sections outlined in black and red lines.
Architectural floor plan of a building with marked sections in red, blue, and yellow lines, showing various rooms and structural elements.
Architectural floor plan of a building with highlighted sections in red.
Architectural floor plan with red outlined sections and grid layout.
Architectural section drawings of a building, showing structural and design elements with color-coded sections.

Story

Transforming a Historic Brick Building into a Sustainable Work Complex In the industrial district of Binz, Zurich, the Werkhof 29 project by baubüro in situ breathes new life into a 1934 brick building, transforming it into a versatile working complex. The renovation extends the building's lifespan while ensuring maximum flexibility for commercial use. The main structure is enhanced with an internal gallery floor, constructed using prefabricated wooden elements and insulated with clay-plastered straw bales. The project emphasizes sustainability through the reuse of existing materials, including facade panels, windows, doors, and radiators sourced from deconstruction projects. These elements, with visible signs of wear, are deliberately incorporated as stylistic features. The design adheres to sustainability principles, featuring raw surfaces, minimal new construction, and durable structures that collectively reduce CO₂ emissions. The addition of a communal terrace and intensively landscaped roof gardens further enriches the building's ecological footprint.

## Design Highlights

Prefabricated wooden element construction with clay-plastered straw bale insulation Reuse of existing materials from deconstruction projects Communal terrace and intensively landscaped roof gardens Raw surfaces and durable structures for reduced CO₂ emissions On-site solar power plant improving climate and ecology

## Key Facts

Detail Information
Location Zurich, Switzerland
Architect baubüro in situ
Client Modissa Immobilien AG
Project Team This Alder, Marc Angst, Klara Jörg, Jessie Wilcox, Giacomo Zanchetta, Oliver Zbinden
Area 2800 m²
Year 2025

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Wall Finish: Clay-plastered straw bale insulation
  • Roof Finish: Intensively landscaped roof gardens

Materials

  • Wood — Prefabricated wooden element construction
  • Metal — Facade panels
  • Glass — Windows
  • Concrete — Flooring

Construction / Systems

  • Structural System: Prefabricated wooden element construction

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Blue, Beige
  • Lighting: Natural and bright

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