earth columns
2021
architect: Rico Furter, Léon Bührer
ETHZ semester project at the chair of R. Boltshauser
A research into the potential of structural rammed earth columns in a multistory construction. Reused oil barrels as formwork, lost formwork and stiff joints in a modular, prefabricated and reusable building system. The system is tested in an exemplary building on one of the last central commerce and industry sites in Zurich. The “Binz Areal” located in a depression on the northern hills flank of the Üetliberg Zurich is a former clay pit and now home to offices and productive trade. The 5 story building is testing the earth columns to its practical limits creating on the ground floor a forest of columns as with each additional floor more columns are being added below. Within the building different spatial compositions are tested allowing for a mixed use from large industrial halls to small ateliers. During a workshop all three main system elements have been built as a 1:1 scale mock-up.
architect: Rico Furter, Léon Bührer
ETHZ semester project at the chair of R. Boltshauser
A research into the potential of structural rammed earth columns in a multistory construction. Reused oil barrels as formwork, lost formwork and stiff joints in a modular, prefabricated and reusable building system. The system is tested in an exemplary building on one of the last central commerce and industry sites in Zurich. The “Binz Areal” located in a depression on the northern hills flank of the Üetliberg Zurich is a former clay pit and now home to offices and productive trade. The 5 story building is testing the earth columns to its practical limits creating on the ground floor a forest of columns as with each additional floor more columns are being added below. Within the building different spatial compositions are tested allowing for a mixed use from large industrial halls to small ateliers. During a workshop all three main system elements have been built as a 1:1 scale mock-up.
