NEW PROJECT BRIEFLY INTRODUCED: HORTUS, House of Research, Technology, Utopia, and Sustainability, Opening in June 2025

Architecture and science – two fields that go hand in hand in the Basel region. These aspects are skillfully intertwined on the MAIN CAMPUS of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area in Allschwil. This life sciences and innovation ecosystem, developed over the past few years near the French border on behalf of Senn Resources AG, offers an attractive and highly interconnected home for companies and institutions ranging from startups to multinational corporations...

Credit David Walter

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Architecture and science – two fields that go hand in hand in the Basel region. These aspects are skillfully intertwined on the MAIN CAMPUS of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area in Allschwil. This life sciences and innovation ecosystem, developed over the past few years near the French border on behalf of Senn Resources AG, offers an attractive and highly interconnected home for companies and institutions ranging from startups to multinational corporations.

Spread across multiple building complexes, these organizations can further develop their products and business areas in collaboration with academic and private-sector partners.

At the heart of this ecosystem is the MAIN CAMPUS HQ building. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, this space is home to many biotech startups for which we have already had the privilege of carrying out interior construction work.

Adjacent to it, a new building is now being constructed by SENN and Herzog & de Meuron, setting new benchmarks in sustainability. The House of Research, Technology, Utopia, and Sustainability, or HORTUS, embodies innovation and ecological responsibility, aiming to become energy-positive within 30 years of its completion. By then, all the energy expended in constructing the building should have been offset. This ambitious goal is supported by sustainable construction methods using materials such as wood, clay, and recycled paper, as well as the installation of an extensive photovoltaic system.

HORTUS is also designed with a circular economy in mind: all building components are engineered for reuse, minimizing the environmental footprint. Transportation distances are kept deliberately short – for example, much of the clay used for ceiling elements is sourced from on-site excavation, while other materials are procured from the surrounding region.

The building also features a green inner courtyard and communal spaces designed to foster agile exchanges among tenants. In this context, the name HORTUS is particularly fitting, as it means "garden" in Latin.

We are thrilled to be part of this exciting project and to contribute to the interior development of the coworking space on the first floor of HORTUS. The plan includes a mix of larger and smaller rental units spread over approximately 1,000 square meters, integrating flexible workspaces, networking opportunities, and community-building elements. Modern amenities such as a kitchen, technical facilities, and quiet zones for employees will also be included. At the same time, the design will create a creative, inviting atmosphere that promotes both productivity and well-being. Balancing functionality and professionalism with narrative office design is our primary goal.

The opening of HORTUS is scheduled for June 2025, and we are already working at full speed with all stakeholders in close collaboration. Our concept: to embrace the Herzog & de Meuron architectural vision – characterized by the use of wood and bright, friendly tones – while deliberately introducing accents that provide a harmonious contrast. The result will be a cohesive environment where work and well-being coexist effortlessly.

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