The bas relief facade, consisting of more than 600 through-coloured precast concrete units with terrazzo look, cloaks the compact building massing of this self-confident counterpoint to the older university buildings across the street. On account of the growing number of students – enrolled primarily in the schools of media and social work – there was an urgent need for this new building. It is for the 3000 students enrolled in these two majors.
The prelude, so-to-speak, is a small forecourt – an inviting gesture that helps visitors find the main entrance. The first indoor spaces are a bright, generously scaled foyer and lounge zones intended to foster interaction among the students. The 400 m2 television studio, screened off by a ring of naturally lit spaces, constitutes the heart of the building.
Lecture halls and seminar rooms – which are ventilated mechanically – are oriented to the busy Bahnhofstrasse, while the smaller offices face green spaces. A broad ravine-like staircase, framed by soaring oblique exposed-concrete walls, connects the foyer to the lofty atrium. The latter provides access to the roof terrace atop the parking structure adjoining the new building to the south.
The prelude, so-to-speak, is a small forecourt – an inviting gesture that helps visitors find the main entrance. The first indoor spaces are a bright, generously scaled foyer and lounge zones intended to foster interaction among the students. The 400 m2 television studio, screened off by a ring of naturally lit spaces, constitutes the heart of the building.
Lecture halls and seminar rooms – which are ventilated mechanically – are oriented to the busy Bahnhofstrasse, while the smaller offices face green spaces. A broad ravine-like staircase, framed by soaring oblique exposed-concrete walls, connects the foyer to the lofty atrium. The latter provides access to the roof terrace atop the parking structure adjoining the new building to the south.