132 Institute for Hospital Pharmaceuticals

Project: 1995
Realization: 1997-1998

The sprawling building is conceived as an organism that extends in several directions. In this way the building appears to react to the extremely varied urban conditions of the immediate surroundings: medieval lots, courtyards, and structures from the 18th to 20th centuries.

From within, the building complex is designed as a system of courts, which support interdepartmental orientation and communication. The shape of the building has not been formed from outside like a sculpture, but is rather the consequence of inner growth and of the restrictions placed on this growth by the building code and zoning regulations (plot size, specified distances, incidence of light).

The distinctively spatial shape of the building is accentuated by its bottle green cladding, a printed glass paneling. The shiny glass façades generate a spatial depth that is juxtaposed with matte surfaces of ivy that replace the glass and constitute the façade in certain selected areas. Sections of the façade protrude and retreat in a rhythmic flow that includes the structures and walls of neighboring buildings.

Herzog & de Meuron, 2003

Process

Reflections and transparencies resolve the rigid boundaries between the new building and its versatile surroundings. The protective shell for the truck delivery varies the square pattern of the façade’s glass panels.

Drawings

Team

Partners: Jacques Herzog; Pierre de Meuron
Project Team: Mathis Tinner (Project Architect); Roland Bachmann; Adrian Boss; Matthias Gnehm; Monika Häfelfinger; Katharina Kovarbasic; Pius Tschumi; Hanspeter Vogt; Koshi Omi

Facts

Client: Baudepartement Kanton Basel-Stadt, Basel, Switzerland
Planning: General Planning: ARGE GP Rossetti, Herzog & de Meuron, GSG Baucontrol AG, Basel, Switzerland; Architect Planning: Herzog & de Meuron, Basel, Switzerland; Construction Management: GSG Baucontrol AG, Basel, Switzerland; Structural Engineering: Walter, Mory, Meier, Bauingenieure AG, Basel, Switzerland; HVAC Engineering: Müller + Partner AG, Basel, Switzerland; HVAC Engineering: Robert Aerni Ingenieur AG, Basel, Switzerland; Plumbing Engineering : Schmutz & Partner AG, Basel, Switzerland; Electrical Engineering: Selmoni Ingenieure, Basel, Switzerland; Landscape Design: Kienast Vogt & Partner, Zurich, Switzerland
Specialist / Consulting: Facade Consulting: Emmer Pfenninger Partner AG, Switzerland
Building Data: Site Area: 71'795 sqft, 6'670 sqm; Gross floor area (GFA): 101'600 sqft, 9'439 sqm; Footprint: 16'630 sqft, 1'545 sqm; Gross volume (GV): 1'168'245 cbft, 33'081 cbm

Bibliography

Gerhard Mack, Herzog & de Meuron: “Herzog & de Meuron 1992-1996. The Complete Works. Volume 3.” Edited by: Gerhard Mack. Chinese ed. Beijing, China Architecture & Building Press, 2010. Vol. No. 3.

Luis Fernández-Galiano (Ed.): “Arquitectura Viva. Herzog & de Meuron 1978-2007.” 2nd rev. ed. Madrid, Arquitectura Viva, 2007.

Fernando Márquez Cecilia, Richard Levene (Eds.): “El Croquis. Herzog & de Meuron 1981-2000. Between the Face and the Landscape. The Cunning of Cosmetics. Entre el Rostro y el Paisaje. La Astucia de la Cosmética.” 2nd adv. and rev. ed. Vol. No. 60+84, Madrid, El Croquis, 2005.

Nobuyuki Yoshida (Ed.): “Architecture and Urbanism. Herzog & de Meuron 1978-2002.” Tokyo, A+U Publishing Co., Ltd., 02.2002.

“Herzog & de Meuron. Natural History.” Edited by: Philip Ursprung. Exh. Cat. “Herzog & de Meuron. Archaeology of the Mind.” Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal. 23 October 2002 – 6 April 2003. 2nd ed. Baden, Lars Müller, 2005.

“Jacques Herzog, Sabine Kraft, Christian Kühn: Mit allen Sinnen spüren. Jacques Herzog im Gespräch mit Sabine Kraft und Christian Kühn.” In: Sabine Kraft, Nikolaus Kuhnert, Günther Uhlig (Eds.). “Archplus. Zeitschrift für Architektur und Städtebau. Architektur natürlich.” Vol. No. 142, Aachen, ARCH+ Verlag GmbH, 07.1998. pp. 32-39.

Vittorio Magnago Lampugnani: “Transparences opaques. Le Verre dans l’Architecture de la Ville.”
In: Giairo Daghini (Ed.). “Faces. Journal d’Architectures. Transparence(s).” Vol. No. 45, Geneva, L’Institut d’Architecture de l’Université de Genève, 1998. pp. 5-7.