EMPA Research Site Dübendorf

EMPA and ETH Zurich require an additional 16’000 m² of main usable research space at the Dübendorf site. For this purpose, a feasibility study was developed for the urban and architectural development of the EMPA site.

The central Glattal area is heavily fragmented by infrastructure constructions, resulting in a conglomerate of isolated neighbourhood islands. Within the overarching master concept, the EMPA site is intended to become a spatial transition zone between these neighbourhood islands, large-scale structures, and the fine-grained centre of Dübendorf.

The EMPA site is bordered by two public green transverse axes, which connect the two watercourses Glatt and Chriesbach. This opens the area outward and allows for strong integration with the adjacent neighbourhood islands.

Along Überlandstrasse, the EMPA site is framed with a distinctive, space-defining perimeter development that offers a high degree of recognisability. By enclosing the street space, Überlandstrasse is intended to transform from a highway-like character into a boulevard. The main entrance is designed generously and integrated into a square with public-facing uses. The access system of longitudinal and transverse axes is further developed. Gradual, diverse densification with individual buildings remains possible.