References

Hortus – A forward-thinking timber office building

Allschwil, CH

Overall view of the Hortus building with modern timber facade and red lettering in the foreground.

Hortus – House of Research, Technology, Utopia, Sustainability

The Hortus office building in Allschwil raises the environmental bar for future building projects. Following designs by Herzog & de Meuron architects and planning by the engineers at ZPF, Blumer Lehmann is creating the building using timber and other natural materials.

The priority for the client, SENN, is to think ahead in terms of the environment and set new standards. With around 10,000 m2 of usable space, the aim is for the building to produce surplus energy and to offset the embodied energy used for its construction within 30 years.

The route to this climate-friendly building started with the material and took into consideration construction and volume. A love for the local area also delivers the leitmotif for this sophisticated project. For example, earth and wood from the region are used to create wood-clay composite ceilings. Recycled paper is intended as another natural material for the façade. Energy supply is maximised using photovoltaics. And details as to how every single component can be reused at a later date are specified right at the start.

Hortus is due to open its doors in 2025, offering digital and tech companies in particular a high-quality, welcoming working environment with a healthy indoor climate – a place where they can connect with each other and with the life sciences sector located nearby.

Print PDF

HORTUS field factory

HORTUS The Mock Up 3D

HORTUS Sum Up

Project details

Client:
SENN, St. Gallen
Architecture:
Herzog & de Meuron
Project type:
Office and administration
Construction type:
Wood element construction
Locality:
Allschwil
Country:
Switzerland

Links

Modern interior of the HORTUS office building with timber structure in Basel.

The interior of the HORTUS office building in Basel features a bright timber structure and modern workplaces.

Timber structure of the HORTUS office building in Basel.

The striking timber structure in the HORTUS office building in Basel provides an open and stable framework.

Courtyard of the HORTUS office building with timber architecture in Basel.

The green courtyard of the HORTUS office building in Basel combines timber architecture with natural light.

Detail view of the timber structure in the HORTUS office building in Basel.

The detailed view highlights the precisely crafted timber structure in the HORTUS office building in Basel.l.

Seating alcoves in the interior of the HORTUS office building in Basel.

The seating alcoves in the HORTUS office building in Basel provide spaces for exchange and retreat.

Open floor with timber framework in the HORTUS office building in Basel.

The open office floor in the HORTUS building in Basel is structured by the distinctive timber framework.

Facade of the HORTUS office building with visible timber structure in Basel.

The facade of the HORTUS office building in Basel reveals the distinctive timber structure through the windows.

Office workspaces in the interior of the HORTUS building in Basel.

The interior of the HORTUS building in Basel provides modern office workspaces with natural light.