Forum University Zurich
Overview
PROJECT NAME
ARCHITECT
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
CLIENT
Emaar Properties
TIME PERIOD
SERVICES
Wind modelling
.webp)
Designed by the renowned architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, the FORUM UZH comprises three main components:
- Topographical Plinth: Built into the slope with terraces, this section will serve as the primary teaching hub. It will house nine lecture halls with a total of 4,000 seats, seminar rooms adaptable for various teaching formats, a café, shops, and sports facilities, including five gymnasiums. These spaces are designed to foster interaction among students, researchers, and the public.
- Stand-Alone Building: Hovering above the plinth, this trapezoidal structure will primarily accommodate offices, seminar rooms, and a library featuring a two-story reading room. The design sets the building back from the street, creating a central plaza that integrates with the surrounding university district.
- Central Forum: Serving as the heart of the new building, this expansive hall will function as an "academic marketplace," providing space for recreation, meetings, work, and events. It connects the various components of the building and extends outdoors into a garden, promoting a seamless transition between interior and exterior spaces.
The project emphasizes sustainability through a wood-concrete hybrid construction, which offers lower CO₂ emissions compared to traditional building methods and enhances the quality of the interior spaces. The roof will feature a photovoltaic system above planted areas, contributing positively to the urban climate and providing habitats for various insects. The FORUM UZH has received provisional Minergie-P certification and has successfully passed the first conformity assessment for the Gold level certification from the Swiss Sustainable Building Council (SGNI).
Construction began in August 2024, with the building's completion and occupancy planned for mid-2030. Once finished, the FORUM UZH will accommodate approximately 6,500 students and 1,100 employees, providing around 700 workspaces for students. This development is expected to significantly enhance the university's infrastructure, fostering greater interaction between academia and the public, and reinforcing Zurich's position as a leading center for higher education.