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Administrative Building Regional Werke
Haselstrasse 15, Baden
1933 - 1934
This
interesting functional building of modernity is considered as the most
important example of modern architecture in the small city of Baden.
Remarkable in particular are the exciting relationship between the three building volumes and the relationship between closed areas and the glazed areas
with flush set steel windows and recessed, ribbon-like wooden windows.
The tripartite construction, made in exposed concrete, emerged from a competition in 1931. This competition was won by Robert Lang and then realized in partnership with
the second-placed Hans Loepfe. With his design Robert Lang had outperformed the doyen of young moderns, Prof. Karl Moser (3rd place). The main volume consists of
the six-storey administrative and residential building, which is preceded by the four-storey wing containing the shop on the ground floor. Along the Güterstrasse follows
the two-story curved workshop building, which encases the exterior maintenance area. On the east side is located a small, cube-shaped volume with garage, which is
impressive with its elegant two-dimensionality and the encirceling window strip below the flat roof. This part of the building shows the original façade before renovation.
A characteristic feature is the full glazing of the staircase which appears as a generous vertical surface. Otherwise, the windows are formulated as horizontal bands.
The flat roofs are covered with copper and slightly protrude in relation to the walls. The balanced volumetry, the careful proportioning and the selection of high-quality
materials in the interior design give the building a more than regional significance as a historic landmark. It is listed in the Swiss inventory of cultural property
of national importance. The staircase and the main hall with its curved walls are of graceful elegance. The building occupies a prominent, high-traffic location right at
the crossroads near the former factory gate to the BBC. In the immediate vicinity are located the laboratory buildings by Roland Rohn, constructed approximately 20 years later.
With the realisation of this building, the former municipal works manifested in some way their self-esteem compared to the industrial giant BBC.
In 1987/88 the builiding was restored very carefully and elaborately by Eppler / Maraini. The exposed concrete wall was partially removed and then again cast in advance.
The attitude related to the historic concrete shell was rewarded with the Homeland Security Award and the concrete price in 1989. As part of the renovation a light sculpture
by Christian Herdeg was purchased for the stairwell (disused lift shaft), which accentuates the transparency of the façade.
Remarkable in particular are the exciting relationship between the three building volumes and the relationship between closed areas and the glazed areas
with flush set steel windows and recessed, ribbon-like wooden windows.
The tripartite construction, made in exposed concrete, emerged from a competition in 1931. This competition was won by Robert Lang and then realized in partnership with
the second-placed Hans Loepfe. With his design Robert Lang had outperformed the doyen of young moderns, Prof. Karl Moser (3rd place). The main volume consists of
the six-storey administrative and residential building, which is preceded by the four-storey wing containing the shop on the ground floor. Along the Güterstrasse follows
the two-story curved workshop building, which encases the exterior maintenance area. On the east side is located a small, cube-shaped volume with garage, which is
impressive with its elegant two-dimensionality and the encirceling window strip below the flat roof. This part of the building shows the original façade before renovation.
A characteristic feature is the full glazing of the staircase which appears as a generous vertical surface. Otherwise, the windows are formulated as horizontal bands.
The flat roofs are covered with copper and slightly protrude in relation to the walls. The balanced volumetry, the careful proportioning and the selection of high-quality
materials in the interior design give the building a more than regional significance as a historic landmark. It is listed in the Swiss inventory of cultural property
of national importance. The staircase and the main hall with its curved walls are of graceful elegance. The building occupies a prominent, high-traffic location right at
the crossroads near the former factory gate to the BBC. In the immediate vicinity are located the laboratory buildings by Roland Rohn, constructed approximately 20 years later.
With the realisation of this building, the former municipal works manifested in some way their self-esteem compared to the industrial giant BBC.
In 1987/88 the builiding was restored very carefully and elaborately by Eppler / Maraini. The exposed concrete wall was partially removed and then again cast in advance.
The attitude related to the historic concrete shell was rewarded with the Homeland Security Award and the concrete price in 1989. As part of the renovation a light sculpture
by Christian Herdeg was purchased for the stairwell (disused lift shaft), which accentuates the transparency of the façade.