Vulcano Zurich high-rise trio: surveying and structure

The impressive ensemble of buildings, which has become a landmark in Zurich Altstetten, was designed by Parisian architect Dominique Perrault.

Sophisticated structure behind an impressive façade

In order to rule out noticeable vibrations in strong winds, we simulated the behavior of the towers mathematically and tested them in wind tunnel tests. Based on the tests, we were able to plan so-called outrigger walls for individual storeys. These connect the reinforced concrete cores with the load-bearing façades and activate the latter as additional wind bracing - an attractive alternative to the usual solution of enlarging the cores at the expense of the usable area.

Cantilevered glass roofs offer protection from railroad noise

For the areas between the towers, we planned two steel structures projecting in the direction of the railroad tracks with around 2,000 square meters of roof glazing. In combination with the protruding base structure, the two striking glass roofs protect the residential towers from railroad noise. The steel structures consisting of hollow sections span the public forecourts of the building without supports, thanks to a lateral support on the facades of the base building.

Safety and Security high up thanks to combined pile and slab foundations

The building had to be constructed in an area with a particularly high groundwater table and limited space. We therefore planned a cross-shaped combined pile and slab foundation (CPP) under each tower. This guides the high foundation strips into the soil via both a ground slab and large bored piles.