Saurer Werk Zwei, Arbon

The former Saurer WerkZwei industrial site is located directly next to Arbon railway station and forms a key link between residential neighbourhoods, the lakefront, and the historic old town. Its history as an industrial district creates a strong sense of identity, but also presents challenges for its transformation into a mixed-use and residential neighbourhood.

A fine-grained pedestrian network connects all spaces. The housing offer is diverse, and the small-town typologies respond to both the urban and regional context. At the same time, the design builds upon the site’s strict orthogonal industrial grid, which enhances orientation and enables a highly efficient access system.

As a result, the neighbourhood offers numerous car-free spaces, extensive greenery, and generous rainwater retention areas. The historic weaving machine hall is preserved and will be transformed into the new Thurgau Museum of History, while the central warehouse will be repurposed into a mix of residential, commercial, and studio spaces.

A fine-grained pedestrian network connects all spaces. The housing offer is diverse, and the small-town typologies respond to both the urban and regional context. At the same time, the design builds upon the site’s strict orthogonal industrial grid, which enhances orientation and enables a highly efficient access system.

As a result, the neighbourhood offers numerous car-free spaces, extensive greenery, and generous rainwater retention areas. The historic weaving machine hall is preserved and will be transformed into the new Thurgau Museum of History, while the central warehouse will be repurposed into a mix of residential, commercial, and studio spaces.