The ground-plan area of the terrace-shaped design tapers from 35m x 70m on the ground floor to 35m x 20m on the 41st upper floor. A centrally located reinforced concrete core forms bracing for the skyscraper and is designed to withstand a specially analysed strong earthquake due to the danger of earthquakes in Basel. A ductile coupling of partial cores can transform the earthquake energy to deformation. A special challenge lay in the clamping supports in the basement construction, whose dimensions are not larger than the rising building. This meant that a reduction of the clamping forces was not possible.
Projects
ROCHE BAU 1
THE SMALL BROHTER OF BAU 2
September 2015 saw the opening of the tallest building in Switzerland; F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, inaugurated their new office skyscraper in Basel, Bau 1, which at a height of 178 meters surpasses the Zürich Prime Tower, the previously tallest building, by 50 meters. The sleek and unmistakable shape of the 41 storey skyscraper blends in perfectly with the Roche site and the Basel cityscape. As well as 2000 workplaces, the building also boasts an auditorium with a 14m cantilever and seating for 500, multi-storey communication zones, and an employee restaurant.
An efficient and cleverly designed structure is elementary for such a complex high-rise project like Bau 1. Moreover, as in this case, when fast building time, simple development of equipment, and moderate building costs can be achieved, the structural engineer has made a major contribution to the success of the project.
| Client | F. HOFFMANN–LA ROCHE AG |
| Architect | HERZOG & DE MEURON, Basel |
| Location | BASEL, SWITZERLAND |
| Completion | 2015 |
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