Technology: Low-Energy Office Tower – Innovative Double-skin Facade with Decentralized Facade Ventilation
The assembly of a closed-cavity facade differs from other double-skin facades in that it is made up of separate sealed units. This is advantageous when the aim is to achieve a high standard of thermal insulation and sound protection, maximum transparency, reduced cleaning costs, maintenance-free solar protection, and an expedited construction phase. In the new administrative building at Roche Diagnostics AG, not only these storey-high “box-windows” are employed for the first time on a large scale: combining building-component activation and room acoustics with concealed absorber strips is also a premiere, and the water-mist fire suppression system was employed for the first time in a Swiss building. The decentralized facade ventilation units and, last but not least, the efficient load-bearing structure – which also serves as important design element – make the building a fine example of the marriage of technology and architecture. Rotkreuz is located between Zurich, Lucerne and Gottard and is not only easy to reach, but the company’s campus is also the prominent eyecatcher directly in the sightline of three expressways. Placing the tower across from the company’s low-rise restaurant creates a square as central point of reference on the grounds. The practical goal of the new landmark is to bring the administrative units – which were previously located in different buildings – together in one building in order to foster communication. The design of the 68-metre-high building by Burckhardt + Partner (Basle) is organized vertically in a 6-metre-high foyer, followed by13 office levels with a storey height of 3.78 m, and is topped off by a two-storey crest of conference rooms, a 100-seat auditorium and a sky lobby with a sweeping view of Lake Zug and the snow-covered peaks of the Alps. Each storey measures 33.50 × 28.10 m and has a classic layout with central core surrounded by group offices accommodating 45 workstations per floor. The bright office spaces have sand-toned carpeting and are connected via two open spiral staircases of solid smoked oak, one going up, the other down.
