Urban timber construction for the Thurgau administration

After around three years of construction, the new administration building "Vorstadt", designed by Gäumann Lüdi von der Ropp Architects, was officially inaugurated in December 2025. Blumer Lehmann was responsible for the timber construction planning, the production and assembly of the prefabricated elements, and the timber façade of the building.

The "Vorstadt" administrativ building is the first cantonal building to meet the SNBS 2.0 sustainable building standard. The centre section of the extension is designed as a bracing reinforced concrete structure. The side wings with 21 office areas house around 300 workplaces, as well as a cafeteria and meeting rooms. Timber as a material contributes to achieving the standard’s aims: a significant level of material re-usability, a high level of thermal comfort and optimal indoor air quality. The timber for the supporting structure comes entirely from the Thurgau cantonal forest.

Portrait Markus Rutz Division Manager Timber Construction Excellence Blumer Lehmann

Markus Rutz

Division Manager Timber and Modular Construction | CH
Member of the Executive Board

+41 71 388 58 40
markus.rutz@blumer-lehmann.com
Administrative Building in Frauenfeld with Modern Wooden Facade

The ‘Vorstadt’ administration building in Frauenfeld features clear, contemporary architecture with a vertical timber façade and generous window areas. Photo: Georg Aerni

Modern Interior Space in the Administrative Building Frauenfeld

The interior combines visible timber construction with a calm, functional design. Photo: Georg Aerni

Interior with Timber Columns and Clear Spatial Sequence in the Administrative Building Frauenfeld

Inside the building, the precise execution of the wooden columns and the clear, logically structured sequence of rooms are evident. Photo: Georg Aerni

Meeting Room in the Administrative Building Frauenfeld

The meeting room in the Frauenfeld administrative building Vorstadt features tranquil, high-quality wooden architecture, plenty of natural light and a clear room structure. Photo: Georg Aerni

Administrative Building Ensemble in Frauenfeld with Timber Facade

The building complex presents itself to the outside world with a vertical wooden façade and integrated outdoor design. Photo: Georg Aerni

Interior with Clear Timber Structure in the Administrative Building Frauenfeld

The interior design of the administration building Vorstadt in Frauenfeld is characterised by precise wooden beams and clear room axes. Photo: Georg Aerni