Swiss Model Central Zurich
| Swiss Model Central Zurich
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|---|---|
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| legal form | cooperative |
| founding | 1935 |
| Seat | Weberstrasse 4, 8004 Zurich |
| management | Managing Director, Stefan Baumberger, dipl. Arch. ETH SIA |
| Number of employees | 6-8 |
| Branch | construction industry |
| Website | www.baumuster.ch |
The Schweizer Baumuster-Centrale Zürich is a public exhibition of building materials, prototypical constructions and innovative technologies. Entry is free.
history
In 1929 the BSA, Federation of Swiss Architects , decided to publish a building catalog as a working tool for architects for the first time. The Building Center had existed in London as a new building exhibition since 1931 . The idea was to supplement the building catalog with a permanent exhibition. In 1933 Walter Henauer, architect BSA Zurich, founded together with exponents from the BSA a "Demonstrative Propaganda Office of the Building Industry", today's SBCZ Schweizer Baumuster-Centrale Zurich Cooperative, which he shaped for 30 years. Hans W. Moser, architect BSA Zurich, and Alfred Hässig, editor of the “Schweizer Baukatalog” Zurich, sat with him on the supervisory board. The entry in the commercial register took place in Zurich in 1935.
The following experts and associations gave “moral support”: Otto Salvisberg, Head of Department at ETH Zurich; Roš, Director of the Swiss Federal Materials Testing Institute in Zurich (today EMPA); L. Jungo, Federal Building Department Bern; Alphonse Laverrière, representative of FAS Suisse Romande, Lausanne; Heinrich Peter, Cantonal Master Builder Zurich; National Councilor R. Strässle, President of the Trade Association of the City and Canton of Zurich; Hermann Herter, City Builder Zurich; F. Fritsche Engineer and President of the ZIA Zurich Engineers and Architects Association (today SIA Zurich Section); H. Gossweiler, Engineer and President of the Builders' Association Zurich - Section of the SBV and. Sigfried Giedion, International Congress for New Building, Zurich.
In 1935, the SBCZ moved into the premises on the corner of Talstrasse / Börsenstrasse Zurich in the building complex built by Henauer and his partner Ernst Witschi between 1928 and 1935, where since 1933 the housing needs with built-in components by Marcel Breuer and the old stock exchange are located opposite Paradeplatz. Under the “protectorate” of the BSA Bund Schweizer Architekten, around 100 exhibiting companies were already under one roof. Max Helbling Architect, Zurich and RS Rütschi, dipl. Architect ETH BSA, Zurich, managing director from the very beginning, explained the concept on the occasion of the opening of the “Schweizer Bau-Centrale Zürich” (later Baumuster-Centrale) on Saturday, June 29, 1935 as follows: (brief summary and linguistic adaptation) In addition to the Project planning work is one of the main tasks of architects, who choose the appropriate materials and constructions for the execution of their buildings for the specific purpose. In doing so, they are dependent on studying the promotions received in the office, personal visits to suppliers or brochures. Now it is an extraordinary coincidence when such visits by representatives or the arrival of the brochures take place exactly at the moment when they are needed. In most cases, such recommendations stick to the surface. You will remember the offer later when you need it, but you no longer have the information to hand.
concept
In the “Schweizer Bau-Centrale Zürich” products, prototypical constructions and innovative materials for “grasping” and “experiencing” are always available to planners and creative people on a 1: 1 scale. In the end, a definitive selection of materials and constructions always depends on the good visibility and the possibility of comparison. In practice, however, it is essential to be able to view and study the materials and constructions when they are needed. Temporary exhibitions are important, they have a stimulating effect in terms of suggestions, but as with the brochures: When they are needed, they are usually not at hand. A permanent building material and model exhibition in the stock exchange block at Talstrasse 9, closed on Sundays. was in the prospectus for the opening. In a paper from the 1950s, one could read of the persuasiveness and visions of a handful of idealists, thanks to whom the Baumuster-Centrale, as a unique service company of its kind, has become the link between the construction industry, producers, architects, planners, builders and those interested in building. As the hub of these circles involved in construction, it has become for many a neutral building institution that can no longer be imagined.
Public exhibition of the boom years
After the Second World War and with the electrification of Swiss households in the 1950s, the Centrale was increasingly expanded as a “public exhibition”. In a paper from 1960 one could read about tens of thousands of visitors in the exhibition. «All materials and constructions are shown and demonstrated in their original size and in use or application, so that the subsequent purchaser has precise knowledge of the appearance and execution before ordering. In this way, the Swiss prototype center helps to promote good building. " Press reviews from the time: "With the client in the prototype center and many hours of working time are gained ..." or: "I consider this position to be indispensable today ..." This is how the architects and clients were enthusiastic about it about this neutral permanent building material and prototype exhibition. «The visitors can easily find out about all materials, constructions and innovations through the displays in 12 shop windows and on the way through three floors in a relaxed manner, without any influence by a salesperson, draw suggestions, make observations and comparisons and then make the right decision for your building project. "
1960 and Max Bill
In 1960, in connection with the 25th anniversary of the Centrale, Max Spörri opened the wallpaper exhibition designed by Max Bill, architect, artist and designer in the Swiss Modeling Center. Max Ernst Haefeli from the Haefeli Moser Steiger office in Zurich also acted as a consultant. People still believed in the radiance of the exhibition. After 1980 the Centrale mutated more and more into a place for housing advice and lost its importance for the specialist audience. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary, the prospectus service and personal advice at the “counter” were highlighted as the most important elements. With an isolated solution, the aim was to provide moderate IT information for finding relevant addresses and brochures. No longer the contents of the exhibition, but a service directly at the “shop entrance” sealed the further descent into mediocrity.
2008 under new management
With the entry of the new managing director, Werner K. Rüegger, dipl. Arch. SIA AIA SWB in 2008, the realignment already decided by the Board of Directors under the direction of René Furler († 2013) was implemented in stages. As a material (open access) library and technical exhibition, the Schweizer Baumuster-Centrale should again be aimed at a professional target group and interested laypeople. Ultimately, the horrific rental prices near Bahnhofstrasse were another trigger for a comprehensive new beginning. After 75 years, the Swiss prototype center in Zurich moved into its new premises in the "Weberhaus" in autumn 2010. The change of location was a godsend in many ways. With the move from the expensive banking district to Zurich's district 4, the SBCZ moved closer to its target group, architects, engineers and creative people. The surroundings and the architecture of the «Weberhaus» also contribute. The stately building at Weberstrasse 4 is not far from the Neue Börse in the immediate vicinity of the Sihl. Created in 1913 by the architects Hirsbrunner & Schäfer as a blouse factory for a Zurich clothing company, the playful brick architecture brings back memories of Hamburg trading houses.
SBC.2, the material competence, counterpart to Web 2.0 interactive
The floor areas are open and clearly arranged. The 50 × 70 cm prototypes are mostly housed in long drawer bodies and standing compartments. Bases for fittings and accessories as well as the platforms made of standardized wooden pallets (Euro pallets) are used to display material innovations, prototypical constructions and large formats. The coded patterns are read in with the smartphone and allow information to be queried on the Internet. Today, accompanying events two to three times a month bring up to 250 architects, engineers and designers to the Centrale. The “brownbag lunch” lunchtime events are intended for professionals. Exhibitions and specialist events take place between materials in the bright rooms.
With Werner K. Rüegger's retirement as director in January 2016, Stefan Baumberger, dipl. Arch. ETH SIA took over the management of the Centrale on February 1, 2016.
literature
- The Schmuklerski office building in Zurich: built by Hirsbrunner & Schäfer, Arch. In Zurich. Weberstrasse 4, 8004 Zurich . In: Schweizerische Bauzeitung , issue 63, 1914, p. 169
- Swiss Model Central Zurich. Swiss prototype Centrale, Zurich 1985, OCLC 602206812
- e-periodica.ch Schweizerische Bauzeitung: Die Schweizerische Baumuster-Centrale, Volume 70, Issue 2, 1952.
- Walter Hennauer and the Schweizer Baumuster-Centrale (SBC) in Zurich . In: Schweizerische Bauzeitung , Volume 88, Issue 29, 1970.
- e-periodica.ch Swiss Association of Engineers and Architects: Back to the Creative Workshop, Volume 135, Issue 45–46, 2009.
- Select and appraise, the Swiss Modeling Center Zurich in a new look . In: Bauen + Wohnen , Volume 96, Issue 4, 2009.