FHNW Campus

Learning on the Polyfield

The industrial area in Muttenz will undergo a major transformation in the coming years: from an unattractive area with heavy traffic, to an urban district in the city. The development of the site means a new centre with a college, living and working areas, shops, restaurant and local recreation is being created near the historic village centre - a true polyfield. The campus of the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW) is the prelude to this urban development. It unites five colleges from different fields in one location: Architect, life sciences, education, social work and mechatronics. Around 4,000 students and 840 employees under one roof.

The atrium as the architectural core

The new building and adjoining park are just a few hundred metres away from Muttenz railway station. The 16-storey, almost quadratic cube has impressive dimensions: 64 metres high and 63 x 73 metres of floor space. The building is logically subdivided with public facilities on the lower floors and institute areas above with offices and working areas. However, the special feature of the concept is the four-storey atrium and the two adjoining atriums, which run the entire height of the building from the ground floor to the roof. Six crossing staircases fill the open space of the light-flooded atrium. The reception area, auditorium, canteen and cafeteria as well as eight lecture halls and seminar rooms are arranged around the stairs. Further highlights are the open-plan library floor ''Piano nobile'' and the spacious roof garden.