BGM Architekten

Description

The construction of the new town hall marks the beginning of a reorganisation and consolidation of the historical town centre of Oberwil. The design is derived from an in-depth study of the village’s historical development. In the spirit of «critical reconstruction», the new building replaces the village schoolhouse that was demolished in the 1960s, restoring the compositional qualities of the historical structure. As a six-storey compact volume with a small footprint, the new town hall alleviates the cramped village situation. A suspenseful sequence of open spaces now connects the public municipal buildings, creating an identity-defining town centre. The building is accessed from the newly built town hall plaza, which interprets the picturesque townscape with its mix of farmhouses and tree-lined «green pockets», the former farm gardens, and courtyards. Located in the heart of the village, the new town hall and plaza strengthen the village identity. Inside, a distinctively configured stairwell wraps around a central atrium, embodying the image of a forward-looking, citizen-oriented municipal administration. This atrium is the heart of the building, radiating openness and transparency. The entrance hall and atrium serve both as meeting places and a «stage» for a strong community in the increasingly sprawling agglomeration of Basel. The load-bearing façade and courtyard core allow for flexible spatial configurations for approximately 80 to 100 office workplaces.