Basel's architectural transformation: Herzog & de Meuron, BIG, and Zumthor reshape the city
Basel is undergoing a significant architectural evolution, featuring prominent projects from esteemed firms. The Transitlager complex, designed by BIG, was finalized in 2011, repurposing a warehouse from the 1920s in the Dreispitz district. This area also showcases the Academy of Art and Design, crafted by Morger + Dettli in 2014, alongside Herzog & de Meuron's Helsinki Dreispitz. In 2002, Herzog & de Meuron secured the competition for the Meret Oppenheim Tower, which was completed in 2019, and they also designed the Naturbad Riehen, inaugurated in 2014. Peter Zumthor is currently enhancing the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen. HHF received the Swiss Architecture Award in 2015 for Lichtstrasse 9. Additional works include Novartist Square 3 by Maki and Associates (2009) and various Roche buildings by Herzog & de Meuron.
Key facts
- BIG completed Transitlager in Dreispitz in 2011, converting a 1920s warehouse.
- Morger + Dettli designed the Academy of Art and Design in Dreispitz (2014).
- Herzog & de Meuron's Helsinki Dreispitz houses the firm's archive.
- Meret Oppenheim Tower by Herzog & de Meuron, completed by 2019, includes offices, café, restaurant, and apartments.
- Naturbad Riehen natural swimming pool opened in 2014, using natural filtration.
- Peter Zumthor is designing an expansion of Fondation Beyeler with three volumes in Iselin-Weber Park.
- HHF won the 2015 Swiss Architecture Award for Housing for Lichtstrasse 9.
- Novartist Square 3 by Maki and Associates completed in 2009.
Entities
Artists
- Bjarke Ingels
- Herzog & de Meuron
- Peter Zumthor
- Renzo Piano
- Tilo Herlach
- Simon Hartmann
- Simon Frommenwiler
- Valentina Silvestrini
Institutions
- BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group
- Maki and Associates
- Herzog & de Meuron
- Morger + Dettli
- HHF
- Atelier Peter Zumthor & Partner
- Fondation Beyeler
- University of Applied Sciences of Northwestern Switzerland
- Academy of Art and Design
- SBB
- Artribune
- Roche
Locations
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Dreispitz
- Riehen
- Canton Basel City
- Gundeldinger
- St. Johann
- Iselin-Weber Park
- Wiese river
- Nordspitze
- Güterstrasse
- Meret Oppenheim Square
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Zurich
- Bern
- London
- Germany
- France
- China
- Mexico