Helvetia Campus Basel
Helvetia Insurance is redesigning its headquarters in Basel's St. Alban district according to plans by the architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron. In addition to modern workplaces for around 350 employees, meeting spaces for the public are also being created. At the heart of the project is an eleven-story new building, which complements the existing headquarters from the 1950s as a twin building and at the same time anchors it more firmly in the cityscape.
Facts
Project details
A glass shell - creating a modern and attractive working environment
The city skyline of Basel has gained a new architectural landmark in the form of two almost identical buildings on the Helvetia Campus. The architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron focused on modernity, sustainability, and strengthening Helvetia's identity. Instead of demolishing the existing building, it was transformed and supplemented with a new, eleven-story twin building. The Helvetia Campus Basel project thus combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and a striking glass appearance.
The façade defines the building's appearance. While the long sides feature clear structures, the front sides with their 24,000 triangular cast glass tiles appear lively and playful. Each tile was individually cast, tested, and mounted on a lightweight substructure. The creative surface is complemented by metal facade elements coated with IGP-HWFclassic 5903A90160S70 powder coating.
The public also benefits from the new building. The B1 Rooftop Bistro is a new meeting place with a panoramic view over Basel. In the evening, a lighting concept developed by James Turrell impressively showcases the buildings and makes the city shine in a special light - a must-visit!
The architectural images were provided by photographer Maris Mezulis.
