New space for innovation: D-BAUG's renovated and expanded HIF building
The HIF building on the Hönggerberg campus has been renovated and extended for the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (D-BAUG). The department's research now benefits from an enlarged construction hall and new laboratories, among other things. The new building was officially opened in mid-June.
While construction, excavation and drilling continue elsewhere on the Hönggerberg campus, the new and extended HIF building is now quiet. After about five years of construction, the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (D-BAUG) now has a fresh and modern home. Construction began in 2019 and was completed by the end of 2023.
Importance for research
The renovation and expansion of the building complex brings various disciplines closer together for the D-BAUG and offers general development opportunities for the department and its institutes.
A total of twelve professorships at the Institute of Environmental Engineering have been brought together for the first time and benefit from the proximity and simplified exchange of information. Further development potential was also created with the new modern laboratories for the Institute for Building Materials.
In addition, the large test facilities of the Institute of Structural Engineering have been given an optimized structural shell in the form of the renovated test hall, which, among other things, ensures better climatic conditions. Finally, the Institute for Geotechnical Engineering has also benefited from the installation of Europe's most powerful research centrifuge, which allows accelerations of up to 250 g, as part of a separate project.
Integration on the Hönggerberg campus
The new HIF, designed by Zurich architects Stücheli Architekten AG, seeks careful integration into the campus, which is particularly evident in relation to the surrounding green spaces. The HIF will be connected to the Flora-Ruchat-Roncati Garden, which is being expanded as part of the Masterplan 2040.
Another new feature will be the creation of a direct footpath from Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse leading directly to the new main entrance of the HIF, which will replace the former winding access route via the HIL building. In keeping with the principles of the master plan, a new footpath will also lead in a north-south direction along the HIF to the HIB.
About the building
The original building was designed by Erik Lanter in collaboration with Max Ziegler and completed in 1976. Since then, only urgent maintenance work has been carried out. The 2012 feasibility study to clarify and analyze the condition of the building and to define the renovation measures identified the need for extensive renovation, particularly of the façade and building services, to ensure that the building would be fit for purpose for the next 30 to 40 years.
The construction work was carried out in three stages and during ongoing operations. The latter was a challenge for everyone involved, but the efforts paid off: modern laboratories, more space and light, a timeless façade, large room heights for high flexibility of use and improved accessibility and daylight availability are the result. Photovoltaic systems on the south façade ensure sustainable power generation.
Opening
The renovated and extended HIF was finally officially inaugurated in mid-June. Ulrich Weidmann, Vice President for Infrastructure and himself a professor at D-BAUG, thanked the members of the department for their patience and efforts and presented the head of the department Ioannis Anastasopoulos with a symbolic key for the new building. The key was handed over by the autonomous excavator Menzi Muck, which also carried out the ground-breaking ceremony at the official start of construction.
The inauguration in pictures
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