PORR to Revitalize Iconic Office Building in Zurich

PORR SUISSE AG has acquired a Design-Build project for Zürich Versicherungs-Gesellschaft AG. The heritage-protected Schader office building is a modern architectural gem in a prime location on the banks of Lake Zurich in Switzerland. The comprehensive refurbishment will be realized within the next 15 months.

The contract involves stripping down the building, strengthening the supporting structure and upgrading all of the existing building technology and systems. The listed historic staircases and various other features will be refurbished by PORR in accordance with stringent regulations.

Another focal point of the project is revitalizing the heritage-protected facade: every element of the facade will need to be taken down, cleaned in workshops and restored to its former glory. These elements will then be reattached. The windows will be modernized to conform to today’s standards. The building will be certified to LEED Gold (LEEDv4 Core & Shell) and Minergie (Standard).

The building consists of three underground stories, a ground floor and eight additional stories above ground. After the refurbishment, the basement floors will continue to be used for archiving, utility areas, tech rooms and parking. The floors above ground will mostly consist of office space.

The business center was designed and built by architect Jacques Schader between 1969 and 1973. Today it stands as a representative example of the history of art and culture and is a protected building with municipal significance. The goal of the refurbishment is to do justice to the architecture of Jacques Schader by acknowledging it and developing it appropriately.

Photo courtesy of PORR.