Institutes for pathology and forensic medicine
St. Gallen, Switzerland
Competition 1st prize 2005
Project and realisation 2007-2011
Pathology.
Overview
Client
Hochbauamt St.Gallen, Switzerland
Architecture
Silvia Gmür und Reto Gmür, Basel, Switzerland
Team ZPF
Jörg Brändlin, Ana Maria Eigenmann, Antje Käser Wassmer, Alfred Männel, Sali Sadikaj, Alfred Schläpfer, Andreas Schnetzer, Caroline Wiesbrock, Andreas Zachmann
Awards
best architects 12
The new building for the institutes of forensic medicine and pathology is situated on the site of the St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital on the edge of the St. Fiden district and comprises two upper floors, one ground floor and two underground floors. The square volumes above and below ground are skewed in relation to each other, producing atriums and overlaps.
The laboratories can be freely partitioned with a grid spacing of 1.50 m and the technical infrastructure is independent from the laboratories: the utilities are distributed from the ring-shaped corridor, resulting in maximum flexibility.
The aluminium facade gives the complex spatial structure a uniform appearance. Sections have been cut out and folded out of the outer protective metal layer to reveal a second, glass skin. The folded-out metal elements become fixed brise-soleils that provide optimal protection from the sun while making maximum use of the light.
Despite the different uses of space for offices, laboratories and parking, the support grid can remain unchanged throughout. The two skewed layouts necessitate continuous vertical load-bearing elements. The support structure consists of a concrete skeleton with flat slabs, resting on columns in the facade and load-bearing walls in the interior. On the recessed ground floor, distinctively formed columns carry the upper floors. The square core contains the vertical infrastructure elements and forms the structural spine: it transfers vertical loads and, together with the inner walls, downstand beams and parapets, it reinforces the building. This load-bearing framework concept produces large continuous useable areas that can be partitioned in a freely changeable manner according to the grid spacing of 1.50 m.