VBZ Busgarage
New building

Architecty: Pool Architekten
Client: VBZ, Amt für Hochbauten, Zurich
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Execution Year: 2020

A simple, sculptural building forms the striking western end of the VBZ/ERZ Hardau site. In order to leave as much space as possible open for the future development of the site, the interventions are concentrated on the southern spatial layer of the perimeter and thus on the alignments of the existing parking garage. By combining the salt silo and the dumping station with the office wing to form a compact figure, the space facing Bullingerstrasse is freed up and traffic routing is optimized. Two open spaces create clearly arranged traffic areas and forecourts, large gateways merge the hall and forecourt opposite the Letzigrund stadium into a single functional area. The load-bearing in-situ concrete structure forms the shell of the new building and essentially determines its expression. The volumetric structure of the old building also determines the spatial disposition of the new building: the VBZ parking garage is joined to a spatial layer as an annex. The first floor of the annex can be used as a maneuvering area for a variety of purposes, while the staff rooms and offices of the ERZ workshop are arranged along a narrow atrium on the upper floor, which extends like a bridge. Also integrated into the concrete structure is the salt silo, whose tower-like structure is both support and cladding.