The FFHS (Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences) situated in Zurich’s Gleisarena required a physical point of contact for potential students, enrolled students and lecturers, to also serve as a back office for student advisory services. Now, in place of a former retail space of just 116 square metres, there is a multi-purpose reception area whose design was inspired by the university’s motto: Bildung heißt Begleitung, or “educating means guiding”. Polarity is the core element of this design: two areas with different functions on two levels. The areas – one of them public, the other private – are separated not only physically but also by colour and light. At the heart of our lighting concept was the contrast between light and dark to structure the space. The reception area, being the main point of contact, radiates light and openness and extends a warm welcome to visitors. The upper level features a darker and more reserved style to visually distinguish it from the area that the public has access to. Courage is in the credo of the FFHS. The university wants to explore new avenues in teaching, research and services. And this is a good thing, because it has allowed a place full of contrasts to emerge. A place where, through linearity, reduction and simplicity, we have succeeded in evoking the desired associations: foresight, clarity and informality. 

The new school building in Filderstadt is the main project in the further development of the school campus. The aim was to upgrade the architecture and adapt it to the requirements of a new educational concept featuring all-day school care.

Drees & Sommer supported the client with a feasibility study and variant analysis when the project was first being considered back in 2015. The team was then awarded a follow-up contract to manage the subsequent architectural competition and planner selection process. The specification for the architectural competition, which was won by Behnisch Architekten, envisaged a new building for the two-tier Gotthard-Müller-Schule primary and common schools, extensions to the Fleinsbachschule (secondary school), and a cafeteria for use by all the schools – all integrated into a single school campus. The construction project, which had a focus on sustainability, featured an eco-friendly overall concept, open-plan design of the building, a barrier-free outdoor area, and its own inclusion rooms.

From the start of construction in January 2018, the project managers were responsible both for the construction processes and user coordination. The difficult subsoil, tight schedule and close proximity of the building sites posed challenges for all project participants.

Construction work on the new building was completed in May 2020. The final stages of the project, the school start and its official inauguration followed in the months of the Covid pandemic.