Co-Working Spaces For Innovation
The Innovation Center Rapperswil: A new landmark for innovative co-working in the Greater Zurich Area
Switzerland is attracting many investors, foreign companies and global talents, being one of the most advanced technology and education incubator in the world. VIRTUARCH is honored to have won the design competition for this innovative project and to contribute to the development of a multinational economy. Mid of April, the permitting documents for the Innovation Center in Rapperswil have been submitted.
The Innovation Center Rapperswil is a multifunctional business hub which is focused on close cooperation between newly established ventures, multinational corporations and academic institutions. VIRTUARCH designed a state-of-the-art building that blends in the sub-urban landscape of the Rapperswil-Jona area.
A cubic building with dynamic facades
Designing 3-dimensional dynamism on facades
Seeing the Innovation Center Rapperswil for the first time, you will be struck by a neutral contemporary material palette and white plastered facades. The design concept of the building is based on the original cubic geometry that is adapted to shape an attic floor with two terraces facing North and South. With this first simple configuration, the building is animated with multiple openings, developing a secondary geometrical order linked to the landscape. Each window is individually characterized by flared frames, giving a third level of dynamism to the facades.
Functional and inspiring Co-working spaces
Building multifunctional co-working spaces
VIRTUARCH focused on creating a business environment that facilitates a more comprehensive approach to work. Walking into the entrance on the ground floor, a cafeteria with outdoor terrace is designed to serve the whole building and the visitors. At the south side of the building, the main co-working area is organized on the ground floor and connected to the garden. The co-working area is also settled in the whole first floor, where it occupies the whole area and opens to a double-height lobby at the entrance. A multifunctional meeting room on the ground floor is also designed to accommodate large business events and after-work gatherings. It can be divided into smaller individual meeting rooms for everyday’s purposes.
A small open meeting area with a view
On the second and third floor, there are modern workplaces infrastructures to attract external different tenants. A small hospitality area with 6 hotel rooms is located on the attic floor, offering a high standard of comfort and service to short-term visitors staying here for project-based work. Two underground floors are also designed with parking and ancillary spaces.
A meeting area equipped with a screen and writable boards
Working on ecological and financial sustainability
Windows that animate the elevations are a unique solution for the double-height tilted lobby. In contrast, a subtle palette of timber surfaces for floors and walls gives a more human-centered atmosphere to the public area. Concrete surfaces and a water fountain not only contribute to a more textured and multi-sensorial experience, but also build a connection between people and nature.Â
A lobby with a landscape concept integrating art and functionality
In response to carbon neutral goals, the building is connected to the district heating system, and its design integrates free cooling solutions and a photovoltaic roof. VIRTUARCH designs this approach to minimizing the operational costs and reducing a negative impact on the environment.
With 20 years of successfully completing architecture projects, VIRTUARCH has fully mastered skills of building comfortable and multifunctional working spaces for its owners. VIRTUARCH, as a Swiss company with a strong presence in the emerging markets of Asia, contributes greatly to create an ecological cycle of buildings and high-quality work environments for future generations.
| Project Name: Innovation Center Rapperswil |
| Location: Rapperswil SG, Switzerland |
| Project Size: 5400 ㎡ |
| Design Date: 2021 – 2023 |
| Services: Architectural Design, Interior Design, Site Services |