Photos: Chris Mansfield
Reto Hörler, what does the SQUARE at the HSG, which the HRS branch in St. Gallen realised as a general contractor, stand for for you?
The SQUARE, originally "Learning Center", stands for innovative learning in the digital age. Modular building elements, acoustically and visually connected to each other, allow adaptation to the respective didactic needs. We are very pleased that we were able to realise a building where, thanks to new teaching and learning formats, ideas will emerge that will take us forward.
In what way was the realisation something extraordinary for HRS?
It fills us with pride that we had the chance to realise this top-class architecture at this very prominent location - at one of the highest points of the internationally leading University of St. Gallen. What Sou Fujimoto has designed under the title "Open Grid - Choices of Tomorrow" impresses with its high flexibility and functionality, its simple aesthetics and its fluid embedding in the landscape. Extraordinary in the sense of extraordinarily demanding was also to reconcile the extremely tight space conditions with the very high demands on the part of the neighbourhood.
How did you experience the cooperation with the subcontractors?
They realised this unusually complex building with a very high level of commitment. The construction was a great challenge for the site manager and the subcontractors on site. We would like to express our sincere thanks to all our partners for their contribution, so that the SQUARE can already be opened just a little more than two years after the laying of the foundation stone.
What specific competencies did HRS contribute?
First and foremost, I think of our great experience in constructing complex buildings as a technical contractor or general contractor in cooperation with foreign architects. In the case of the Tamedia building and the Circle at Zurich Airport, we also realised projects by Japanese architects. In these situations, we understand what needs to be built and find solutions.
Reto Hörler is responsible for a large number of complex projects at HRS. He is Head of Realisation for Switzerland’s eastern region (including Ticino) and Branch Manager Realisation for St. Gallen, Frauenfeld and Chur, as well as a member of the Managing Board.
Media release HSG:
20220209 SQUARE Medi ng Eröffnung DE
Project website:
https://hrs.ch/en/projects/hsg...