Lionel Scherz & Vilém Wolf

The heart of our project is connectivity. 

In ETF we find a building that is disconnected in every way. 

The ETF building interacts neither with the city nor with the ETZ-GLC complex. 

It has been referred to as a ghost. On one hand, it has a diminishing presence in the city, as it goes unnoticed by passersby. On the other hand, it doesn't receive the appropriate attention within the ETH portfolio. 

The auditorium, the courtyard, and the ETF building obstruct each other and make interaction impossible. 

The public, students, and employees operate in parallel without interacting. 

We want to (re)establish connections with three major transformations: the inner courtyard, the auditorium and the main building. 

The inner courtyard: extends over its entire surface, opening up towards the main building, the auditorium, the Gloriastrasse and the ETZ building. It provides different types of space for different users: an extension of the interior, a space for deliveries, a connection with the terrace of the ETZ building and an extension of the public space of Gloriastrasse. 

The upper auditorium is transformed into a platform connecting the inner courtyard to the ETZ terrace and becoming an outdoor tribune. 

The removed lecture space is relocated into the central building. This part of the building is transformed to offer a range of special situations used mainly by students and employees of ETF. Co-presence of different users encourages interaction. This is a crucial aspect of informal learning environments. Also, the relocated cupboards, empty walls, movable walls and furniture encourage appropriation leading to a greater connection to the space and sense of belonging. The building can be entered through multiple openings which are non-hierarchical.