Thomas Rohrer
MORE OR LESS BAHNHOFSTRASSE?

In collaboration with:
Chair of Construction Heritage and Preservation, Prof. Dr. Silke Langenberg, Reto Wasser Chair of History and Theory of Architecture, Prof. Dr. Maarten Delbeke, Linda Stagni

MORE OR LESS BAHNHOFSTRASSE?

The project reimagines a different Bahnhofstrasse Zurich as we know it today. It proposes a small adjustment within the legal framework of Zurich’s planning law. In particular for the regulation of „Mehrwertsausgleich“, which compensates planning related value increases. Through this, the projects opens a backdoor into a highly controlled context. A context within which the facade plays a distinctive role. Its persistence limits the qualities of public space and is secured through concerns of historic preservation and city planning. The project subverts this by turning the issue of extensive value increase into a source of change. It proposes a new understanding of value. Three case study projects, each with a different take on the existing context, illustrate how this change could be realized. These three projects are seen as the beginnings of a larger progression, opening Zurich's historic heritage to a broader range of society.

First Project - Chess Hall Jelmoli
Sport is being interpreted as a contemplative act. A chess hall should deliberately contrast with the hectic busy department store environment. It should form an inwards directed calm area of concentration. The hall is located in a former courtyard that was later closed to maximize rental space. Chess is offered on two levels. The additional floors on top offer an all-around observation of tournaments from above via interior balconies. The dark and light contrast of a chess board is being implemented into the spacial design.

Second Project - Courtyard-Park Kantonalbank
The courtyard is used for deliveries in its current state. It is asphalted throughout, but offers the urban quality of being very secluded, and thus the possibility to escape the fast life of Bahnhofstrasse for a few moments. Since there are already two restaurants in this area, the intervention is limited to making the already existing courtyard space more attractive to stay in. Canopies are added and the asphalt is broken up to form a small park. The courtyard can thereby be used for outdoor seating as an extension of the existing restaurants. Since canopies in front of protected facades have often led to a denial of the building permit in the past, they require a sensible interaction with them. They do this by not relying on permanent changes to the facades. Additionally, they respect each facade's unique ground floor height by offering uniquely angled segments. As a result, they pick up the differently angled roofs and yet unite them to a coherent inside appearance.

Third Project - Kiosk zur Alten Börse
The new building project of the Kiosk Bürkliplatz is located only a few meters away from the Alte Börse. By relocating the kiosk to the Alte Börse, the connection through its financing is made visible. The Kiosk integrates itself into the existing façade, expanding on its depth. Its design echoes the historic design language. The kiosk's display picks up on the proportions of the rusticated masonry on the facade. Canopies restrict the view downwards to the street level. A generous ground floor is contrasted by a lower upper section.