Muttenz: Pensimo creates apartments in former sports clinic

Pensimo wants to convert the former racecourse clinic in Muttenz. A study commission shows how the existing building can be integrated into a new ensemble with 72 apartments.

The «Rennbahnklinik» in Muttenz, built in the 1980s, was the first sports clinic in Switzerland. Since it moved into a modern new building in 2014, the Swissinvest Real Estate Fund, part of the Pensimo Group, has been renting the converted property to students. The «Rennbahn district plan», which envisages a majority residential use, was drawn up in 2019 on the basis of a competition procedure carried out in 2017. This also includes the neighboring plot, which has since been built over with two residential buildings. Pensimo has now examined whether it is possible - contrary to the original intention - to partially preserve the existing building fabric instead of demolishing it. The corresponding study contract has now been decided.

The winner was the project by Salathé Architektur from Basel. The plans envisage the preservation of the northern section along Birsfelderstrasse. A total of 20 apartments with 2.5 to 4.5 rooms will be placed on four floors. The staircase will be retained, while the existing façade will be upgraded and modified at certain points. On the courtyard side, a balcony layer is to be created from reused steel components.

Hybrid timber construction complements ensemble

The winning project adds a new head-end building to the existing structure on St. Jakob-Strasse, which accommodates commercial space on the first floor and 52 mostly 1.5- to 2.5-room apartments on the seven upper floors. The building is a timber hybrid construction that sits on top of the existing basement. The jury praised the project for having the best ecological balance in comparison. The owner does not expect the «Rennbahnklinik 3.0» to be completed and occupied before 2029.