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The Circle Project Cover
Ph.: © René Dürr

The Circle

Zurich | Switzerland
Business Area
Exteriors
Brand
Gartner
StatusCompleted
Design ArchitectRiken Yamamoto & Field Shop
Executive ArchitectRichter Dahl Rocha & Associés architectes
Executive ArchitectFischer Architekten AG
Executive ArchitectRLC Architekten AG
Ph.: © René Dürr
The Concept

The mixed-use complex 'The Circle' at Zurich airport, hosting a range of activities and services under one roof, is the biggest Swiss building construction project in recent years covering 180,000 sqm (1.9 million sq ft) of usable space. The building’s acoustic windows and sustainable closed cavity façade allow to create a city without noise which follows the ring shape of the motorway and covers parts of the road. Squares and lanes aiming to echo the flair of the city center of Zurich are covered by an air permeable glass roof thus generating rain protected outdoor ambiences. Within walking distance to the terminals, the architecturally striking building complex is being developed allowing for a variety of uses, services, and interactions and creating the atmosphere of an international trading center. Despite the high compactness, Riken Yamamoto, architect of the building complex, grouped the six buildings in a way as to reduce large building areas gradually towards the hill which gives the impression of a small scale city center. The single buildings are 9 to 11 stories high and the maximum building height amounts to 38 m (125 ft). The development is LEED Platinum® and it is the largest building ever certified by Minergie, a Swiss construction standard for new builds and renovated buildings.

Ph.: © René Dürr
Ph.: © René Dürr
Ph.: © René Dürr
The Project
Scope of Work

23,000 sqm (247,600 sq ft) ring façade, size 2,700 x 5,500 mm (106 16/94 x 216 17/32”); 52,200 sqm (561,900 sq ft) hill façade, size 2,700 x 5,600 mm (106 16/94 x 220 15/32”); 8,700 sqm (93,700 sq ft) courtyard façade.

Ph.: Josef Gartner GmbH

Partial elevation.

Ph.: Josef Gartner GmbH

Vertical section.

For 'The Circle', Gartner manufactured closed cavity façades for a total area of 83,900 sqm (903,100 sq ft) which offer a high degree of energy efficiency, low cleaning expenses and a long service life.

Dimensions of the façade units for the 23,000 sqm (247,600 sq ft) ring façade are 2,700 x 5,500 mm with a weight of 1,660 kg (3,660 lb) and for the 52,200 sqm (561,900 sq ft) hill façade 2,700 x 5,600 mm with a weight of 1,450 kg (3,200 lb). The ring façade is sloping over the motorway with the attica covering the road by around 15 m (49 ft) at their maximum inclination to the outside.

Ph.: Josef Gartner GmbH

Partial elevation.

Ph.: Josef Gartner GmbH

Vertical section.

Technical Details
Ph.: © René Dürr
Ph.: © René Dürr
The Circle facade and curtain wall installation
Ph.: © René Dürr
The Circle facade and curtain wall manufacturing
Ph.: © René Dürr

OWNER: Flughafen Zürich AG / Swiss Life AG

CLIENT, PLANNING AND SITE MANAGEMENT: HRS Real Estate AG

DESIGN ARCHITECT: Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop

EXECUTIVE ARCHITECTS: Richter Dahl Rocha & Associés architects SA / Fischer Architekten AG / RLC Architekten AG

FAÇADE PLANNING: Neuschwander + Morf AG / ap3 Atelier P3 AG

More Information

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