College in Zurich

The homogeneous facade – concrete blocks wrapping evenly around the cornice and the corners – of this municipal building in Zurich provides few clues as to its contents. The cube-like massing – home to two colleges – was hollowed out to create an atrium; the foyer and the auditorium, which are used by both facilities, directly adjoin this space. Stairways are hidden in two load-bearing cores; all classrooms are oriented to the city. Solid floor slabs – which are shifted from one floor to the next – influence the acoustics favourably. With its exposed-concrete walls and stone floors, the interior courtyard has an urban flair. In contrast, the classrooms’ glass-fibre veneered walls bring to mind a residential setting.