Preserving the site’s history

«We were particularly drawn to the challenge of preserving the site’s industrial history and incorporating the high-ceiling hall, the crane track, the buffer stop and the rails into the new design».

Patrick Rössli

In addition to the high-ceiling hall, other traces of the building’s industrial past also had to be preserved and cleverly integrated, the three main ones being the crane track, the buffer stop and the rails. The original building from 1928 was cheap and basic, meaning it had neither earthquake protection nor thermal insulation. These were just some of the additional challenges that the architects faced when converting it into a high-quality commercial building that would meet modern-day standards.

Röösli and his team managed to get the balance just right. The old tracks still lead into the renovated building and straight into the meeting room, where they end at the former buffer stop. The building exudes industrial charm. It is therefore not surprising that the new tenants moved in as soon as it was ready at the start of 2021.

To preserve the site’s history, great care was taken to protect historical elements like the engine shed..

«The client is aware of its responsibility and is fully committed to preserving the historical building elements when developing the site.»

Thomas Aebischer

«The former paper mill has deep roots in the local community. The fact that everyone knows someone who worked there makes the old factory premises incredibly important. We want to keep this spirit alive on the site», explains Thomas Aebischer. The same applies to the site’s flagship building and main landmark, the former boiler house. In the past, it powered the factory. In future, it will become the new focal point with bars, restaurants, cafés and event spaces. The former paper machinery halls – where unique loft apartments, studios and commercial spaces are being created – also convey the site’s character with their old industrial walls.

For many people, the combination of old and new, the industrial charm and the proximity to water are key reasons for wanting to live and work here. Further factors are the site’s closeness to the lake, the central location of Cham (which incidentally topped this year’s ranking of the best places to live in Switzerland), and the good transport links from Zurich and Lucerne.  

The new build that will replace the former central warehouse bears Röösli Architekten’s signature style, as does the engine shed. In contrast to the engine shed, the aim here is to fill the «cavity» on Werkstattgasse on the banks of the Lorze river. Where a warehouse once stood, there is now a gaping excavation pit between the already renovated workshop building and the former iron depot. Facing the Lorze are the listed buildings of the former paper machinery halls. «It is about preserving the tone of the Papieri site in the new design language. In other words, considering the historical elements in the design and urban planning for the replacement building», explains the architect.

Even though it is a new-build project, care is being taken to use the original construction materials. Fortunately, sand-lime brick was used, which is both flexible and widely available. Using the same material will make it possible to continue writing the site’s industrial history in the modern commercial space and harmoniously integrate the building, with its overhanging roof and recessed façade, into the surrounding structure.

«It is about preserving the tone of the Papieri site in the new design language. In other words, considering the historical elements in the design and urban planning for the replacement building.»

Patrick Röösli

With a new build, the architect has more design freedom and leeway with regard to room height and width. This makes it easier to accommodate modern-day technical requirements. However, the central warehouse is not a new build in the conventional sense. Röösli is docking the building onto the existing stairwell of the adjacent building. The exact structure of the stairwell has been retained and the new building has been built around it. Different color aspects will be used to further emphasize the fact that the main entrance actually takes you into the workshop building first before you reach the «Zentrallager». You thereby get a feel for the building’s industrial history as soon as you step foot in it. Because of the existing conditions, an elevator is also being installed, which will give the future tenants direct access to the homes on each floor.

In simple terms, the building is an elongated hall that offers great potential and flexibility. The rows of windows along the side of it flood the rooms with light, while the square supports in the center of the floor plan give the future tenants an enormous amount of freedom to design and arrange the spaces as they wish.

«We want our buildings to appeal to different stakeholders. Spatial flexibility is extremely important, not just for future tenants, but for investors too.»

Thomas Aebischer

«That’s why we attach great importance to an open-plan design with lots of flexibility for creating future headquarters. Another important aspect is that it can be adapted over time», adds Aebischer. The spaces inside the new central warehouse are highly versatile. They could house a single tenant on all three floors, or multiple tenants on separate floors. «Open-plan offices or numerous smaller individual offices can be configured, and meeting rooms or kitchenettes can also be integrated as required. In terms of arranging and configuring the spaces, the tenant is free to do what is important for them, but also for us as the landlord»,says the CEO.

As an added bonus, these office and commercial spaces are also situated in an extremely charming spot right by the river. The windows offer a view of the river hydropower plant, which supplies half of the electricity needed on the site. The blend of history and modernity in a picturesque setting makes for unique spaces with a very special atmosphere. Röösli explains that the lake water level dropped by arround 1.3 meters after explosions in the Lorze riverbed in the 17th century. «Fortunate for us, it was not more, as it means we can now produce hydroelectric power here today», says Aebischer with a smile.

«I’m really looking forward to the time when the site is busy and bustling, not just with people who live and work here, but also with the residents of Cham. After all, without them, the development would never have got off the ground. As a member of the cantonal parliament and the vice-president of Bauforum Zug, I am also personally committed to high-quality urban development and densification. And as an architect, I am proud to have made two important contributions to the development of the site with the engine shed and the central warehouse. Just like some people collect stamps, I collect beautiful buildings that I have planned and designed», says Patrick Röösli.