St. Gallen: Winning project for new university building
The Zurich office Graber Pulver has won the second architectural competition for the "Platztor" site.
The winning project for a new university building in St. Gallen has been submitted. The architectural competition for the HSG's "Campus Platztor" has been won by Graber Pulver Architekt:innen. The jury praised the urban integration, the efficient floor plan design and the economical and sustainable construction method. There is a particular focus on wood as a material in the design. After its planned completion in 2032, the complex will provide space for around 3,000 students and employees of the University of St. Gallen.
The competition launched by the canton in the fall of 2024 is the second for the site. The result of a previously completed procedure was rejected and the competition was relaunched with modified conditions. An office with no previous experience of projects of this size won the anonymous procedure (IB reported).
Example of "building in the post-fossil age"
A small park with trees and seating is planned around the building with the project name "Tsumiki", while the existing church building on the site will be retained and become a student bar. According to a press release from the canton, the new building is characterized by its climate friendliness, cost-effectiveness and openness both internally and externally. "The project is also exemplary for the current debate on building in the post-fossil age," it says.
Completion by 2023
In 2019, the population voted in favor of a new building and approved a loan of CHF 160 million. The federal government, the university and the city of St.Gallen will each bear their own share of the total costs of CHF 207 million. "The project is also expected to meet the target costs," said the canton. The opening of the new campus is planned for 2032. The vacant site is currently subject to a zoning plan amendment and special use planning.
A total of 16 selected teams took part in the competition. (aw)
