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Projects: Corporate

Green mediator between the dimensions

Universitäres Zentrum für Zahnmedizin Basel UZB, Basel
The UZB is a colossus from a dental point of view: it unites the Basler Volkszahnklinik, the Schulzahnklinik and the University Clinics for Dentistry under one roof. Despite its size, the new building blends light-footedly into its highly urban surroundings between perimeter housing and large industrial buildings. This is also thanks to the design of the free spaces, which mediate between the different dimensions and generate spaces with a sojourn quality and atmosphere.

The main entrance is located in a representative position at the beginning of a new free space axis, which will be continued in the surrounding area with the future plans. Multi-stemmed gleditschias and hackberry trees in overgrown gravel areas spatially frame the entrance and the outdoor caféteria.  They give the busy place the appearance of a quiet, green town square. In the long term, the trees will become the frame for the view into the planned open space axis, seamlessly weaving the new building into the surrounding urban structures.

The two narrow atriums of the new building, on the other hand, are designed as effective green lungs. As vertical gardens, they make efficient use of the scarce space. They provide views of the greenery on all floors and privacy for the treatment rooms facing each other across the courtyard. The views into the green courtyards also help with orientation inside the building with its complex structures. Climbing plants bring spatiality, texture and a seasonally changing play of colours into the courtyards – thanks to the plants’ vigour up to the top floor. The foliage reflects daylight and brings the bright, friendly atmosphere down to the ground floors.

Project information
Client: Universität Basel
Competition 2014, 1. Prize
Planning: 2014-2018
Realization: 2018-2019
Landscape architecture: Fontana, Basel
Architecture: BUR Architekten, Zürich, Rapp Architekten Basel