Silvia Gmür Reto Gmür Architekten
Institut für Rechtsmedizin und Pathologie, Kantonsspital St. Gallen
best architects 12
commercial/industrial buildings
Place
Basel | Schweiz
Studio
Photos
Hélène Binet
Description
The project takes in the two different orientations of the adjacent areas and responds in the form of two superimposed twisted squares. The building adopts the three classical horizontal registers: a fully open ground floor stands on a semi-enclosed base, and is topped by two compact storeys. The concentric orthogonal internal layout allows for great flexibility. A skylight, twisted to align with the overall layout, creates a light pit and reference point within the internal core. The twist also creates two courtyards for the lower ground floor. A metal skin gives unity to the complex inner scheme. By cutting into and opening up slats of the protective layer of metal, a second glass skin is revealed. Taking into account the course of the sun, they allow for an optimal balance between shading and natural light. All these elements come together in a space-generating layer. Light is a central component of the design. It adds vertical continuity to the floors, and animates the building through reflections and strips of light.