A vision for the heart of Basel

The central area of Basel today presents a fragmented picture. It lacks an overarching design and development concept, a future vision. So in early 2011, the construction and traffic department announced an international assignment to draft an urban design concept. Of the ten submitted entries, a team led by Netherlands firm OKRA landscape architects emerged as the winner. Basler & Hofmann was responsible for the traffic planning aspects.

The design concept centres around the idea of a ‘shared city’ – a metropolitan space apportioned between all of its varied users. Its intention is to create a green, pulsing, joined-up cityscape.

Further specifics by 2012

The winning team will join forces with the city planning office and flesh out the project to the point where it can be put before the political assemblies for a decision, most likely in summer 2012.

All of the submitted studies are open to public viewing at Maiengasse 7 (1st floor) until 9 September 2011. Hours are: Mon-Fri. 5-8 p.m., Sat. + Sun: 2-6 p.m. (closed on 1 September).

Further information:
www.bs.ch
www.okra.nl
www.maxwan.com

Eco-friendly renovation

Total renovation of the A2 highway in the canton of Uri was done with much careful consideration for the environment. With the renovation, wastewater runoff from the road surface is now channelled through one of several water treatment plants where it is cleansed of pollutants using an innovative technique. Numerous noise control measures have significantly reduced the highway's sonic impact on the Reuss valley. To conserve resources and minimise construction site traffic, much of the broken-up concrete from the old highway was recycled on location. "The innovative remediation techniques employed, and their economically sensible execution demonstrated, respectful consideration for local and regional concerns", according to the jury.

The second "Umsicht" awards

2011 marks the second presentation of SIA's "Umsicht" awards. Of the 48 projects submitted, 6 received an award and 2 a recognition. The award ceremony took place on March 3rd  2011 at the ETH Zurich, with Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard in attendance. Jürg Röthlisberger, deputy director of the Federal Roads Office, was present to accept the recognition. The prize-winning works are on display at the ETH until April 14th  2011.

Further information can be found at http://umsicht.sia.ch

A series of critical challenges had to be overcome during the planning and construction of the Weinberg Tunnel. For example, the tunnel emerges from the rock on the right bank of the river Limmat into loose rock below the groundwater table. It then passes virtually underneath Zurich's historic main rail station hall and emerges into the new underground through-rail station at Löwenstrasse. Complex construction measures, such as a large pipe screen and extensive injections, made it possible to guarantee safety in these areas. The tunnel also passes a short distance below several buildings that are used for sensitive purposes, such as the DRS radio studio.

Tunneling work was started with the TBM in October 2008. Advancing at an average rate of 20 metres per day, the TBM was operated in what is known as a mix-shield mode from the Brunnenhof tunnel in Oerlikon towards the main station. After some 4.2 kilometres of tunnelling, the machine reached the river Limmat in summer 2010. At this point, the TBM was fitted with a hydroshield so that it could safely bore the remaining 280 metres through loose rock in the groundwater.

The Weinberg tunnel was planned and designed by the Zalo Engineering Consortium (IG) (Basler & Hofmann, Pöyry Infra and SNZ) with Basler & Hofmann as the project lead.

Weinberg Tunnel Data

Client: SBB AG
Length: 4.42 km, including 280 m through loose rock
Diameter: 10.90 m
Execution of construction work: 2007 - 2013
Commissioning of tunnel: mid-2014

Services provided by Basler & Hofmann

Construction project / regulatory approval project
Tendering procedure
Detailed design / execution project
Construction management
Environmental support
Public relations work

Precarious Situation

Six months after the catastrophic earthquake on 12 January 2010, the situation in Haiti remains precarious: hundreds of thousands of people are still living in makeshift accommodation, or with guest families in regions not affected by the earthquake. And in the summer months, the first hurricanes threaten to cause more damage.

Competence Centre for Reconstruction

Besides the SDC, numerous Swiss charities are involved in reconstruction work in Haiti. Guided by the motto "Build Back Better", the Swiss team of construction experts will provide assistance and advice on projects run by the SDC and partner organisations. Working in close consultation with the local authorities, there are plans to define construction standards for school buildings, for example, and to offer initial and ongoing training courses. The CCR will serve as a point of contact between the Haitian authorities and the partner organisations. Basler & Hofmann has sent one of its swiss engineers who is a specialist in earthquake and hurricane-proof construction to advise the SDC.

Further information: www.deza.admin.ch

The WTC – a major international forum

The World Tunnel Congress (WTC) is the most important event of the year for tunnelling experts throughout the world. For one whole week, experts from the 58 member nations discuss the latest findings and developments in all areas of tunnel construction. This was the first time that the Swiss Tunnelling Society (STS) was a candidate to host the WTC, and it was immediately selected as organiser of the 2013 event. Basler & Hofmann is one of the partners on the candidacy committee, which mounted a highly professional and convincing campaign.

More about the 2013 World Tunnel Congress

For years now, the runways and taxiways at the Zurich Airport have been ready for the Airbus A380. As part of the 5^th expansion phase (1998-2002), runways and taxiways were designed for such a large aircraft, as was announced at the time, but not yet built. The engineers needed to work on assumptions, which included a maximum weight of 650 tons. That was a very good approximation as it turned out: a fully laden Airbus A380 on the runway can weigh up to 560 tons.

After London and Paris, Zurich is the third European airport where the new superjet is making scheduled landings and departures. Basler & Hofmann is particularly pleased that the new prestigious aircraft now directly links two of the company’s locations.

Zurich Airport AG is planning a multifunctional building complex right next to Zurich Airport. The Circle will create a usable area of 200,000 square metres for exclusive offices and an extraordinary range of services for an international public. The winning design by the Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto is called "Diver(s)city". "The idea of a city centre with streets, alleys and small squares corresponds to the urban philosophy of The Circle. The project whets visitors' appetites" – declared the jury in its verdict.

Basler & Hofmann is participating in the project with a multidisciplinary team. Over the next eight months, the design of the project will be further developed and given concrete shape.

Visualisations: Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop

Zurich Airport AG is planning a multifunctional building complex right next to Zurich Airport. The Circle will create a usable area of 200,000 square metres for exclusive offices and an extraordinary range of services for an international public. The winning design by the Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto is called "Diver(s)city". "The idea of a city centre with streets, alleys and small squares corresponds to the urban philosophy of The Circle. The project whets visitors' appetites" – declared the jury in its verdict.

Basler & Hofmann is participating in the project with a multidisciplinary team. Over the next eight months, the design of the project will be further developed and given concrete shape.

Visualisations: Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop

Nach dem schweren Erdbeben in Chile entsendet die Direktion für Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit DEZA ein vierköpfiges Expertenteam aus dem Bereich Baustatik nach Chile. Mit dabei ist René Zemp, Erdbebenspezialist bei Basler & Hofmann.

Am 27. Februar 2010 hat eines der schwersten jemals gemessenen Erdbeben (8.8 auf der Richterskala) den Süden Chiles erschüttert und grosse Schäden angerichtet. Das Expertenteam hat die Aufgabe, vor allem öffentliche Gebäude wie Schulen und Spitäler auf ihre Sicherheit hin zu prüfen.

Our new brand identity expresses how the engineering, planning and consultancy company sees itself in terms of its own image. Using a holistic approach Basler & Hofmann combines knowledge from a wide range of disciplines to develop groundbreaking solutions for a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected. The Group operates in the following areas: construction, mobility, energy, security and the environment.  Our new visual identity is rich in colour and imagery and features the use of superimposed layers to depict the complexity of the work that the Group carries out. The red logo has been slightly updated yet remains a familiar constant. Our foreign subsidiaries will adopt the new design during the course of 2010.