The company Fischer AG Immobilienmanagement stands for unconventional and sustainable real estate projects. OOS translated this into the new company headquarters: In the old silk dye works on Lessingstrasse in Zurich, an office space spanning several floors was created with an extraordinary atmosphere.
The old building structure, previously refurbished by OOS, offered a unique starting point: a large hall with columns, exposed sandstone retaining wall, shed roof and view of the Sihl River. In addition, a long, narrow upper floor, without internal connection. Together with the client, OOS developed the vision of a two-story open-plan office with a surprise effect. The claim: It takes into account the needs of the various organizational units and makes Fischer AG Immobilienmanagement’s unconventional approach to projects tangible – spatially, atmospherically and materially.
The result: a narrow internal steel staircase spatially binds the two floors together and enables the organizational separation between concentrated work in the hall and public uses on the upper floor. Acoustic panels, which are completely integrated into the structure of the Sched roof, provided an optimal solution to the challenging spatial acoustics in the hall’s open space.
The actual heart of the design lies in the small office forest at the entrance. Anyone entering is surprised to find themselves in front of a green wall. A large variety of plants and overwhelmingly tall fir trees in huge steel troughs break the view into the space. The reception area also surprises – with its orientation into the space. The company’s values were translated into a unique spatial experience that, thanks to plants and natural surfaces, is also perceived as a healthy as well as stimulating work environment.
