Careful transformation of the industrial heritage

The Papieri site in Cham on Lake Zug is undergoing an extensive transformation – from a historic paper factory to a lively urban district where around 4,000 people will live and work by 2030.

Albi Nussbaumer Architekten and Boltshauser Architekten developed the urban master plan for this purpose, which incorporates the industrial character of the site and transforms it into contemporary use. At the heart of the project are the renovated paper machine production halls 1–4, which are now home to cultural and commercial facilities, residential lofts and studios. Narrow profile systems from Forster were used when renovating the 250-metre-long paper factory in order to retain the characteristic proportions of the window, door and portal elements.

Living in the paper machine production halls

Around 50 new residential loft units were built on the upper floors of the former factory. The living space atmosphere is characterised by the exposed skeleton construction made of reinforced concrete and the use of partly recycled materials such as cement, brick, sand-lime brick and selected steel elements. While the overall design of the conversion of the former paper machine production halls was geared towards preserving the industrial character, this approach continues in one of the residential lofts created there.

The minimised, rough interior is divided up by intelligently placed steel-glass partition walls. Fixed glazing and doors with forster presto xs profiles zone the flowing lines and define new living spaces without losing the spacious loft character. The filigree room elements bridge the existing raw fabric of the building and the free layout of the new residential use.

Industrial charm with Forster xs profile systems

Narrow profiles in Iron Grey frame the glass panels and evoke the industrial character of the former paper factory. Their spacing and proportions are based on the mullion windows of the renovated facade – creating a harmonious overall appearance both inside and out.

Different glass inserts are used depending on the spatial requirements: from simple single-pane safety glass (toughened safety glass) to mirror glass and rib-like structural glass.

The high flexibility and stability of the steel profile systems also makes it possible to accommodate special design features such as joists or projections in the support structure – while also meeting today’s requirements in terms of safety and long service life. With filigree face widths starting at 23 mm, the profiles blend harmoniously into the existing structure and prove themselves – not least as an architectural solution that makes it possible to carefully transform the historically protected spaces of the machine production halls.

Cham, Switzerland

Products:

Sliding door elements in forster presto xs

Double-leaf doors in forster presto xs

Fixed glazing in forster presto xs

Architecture: Boltshauser Architekten AG, Zurich, Switzerland

Interior design, client support: Roland Glas, Architekur - Design - Baubiologie, Arlesheim, Switzerland

Metal constructor: Anton Bachmann AG, Rotkreuz, Switzerland

Photography: Anton Bachmann AG