The new building at Gloriastrasse will keep its sculpture
ETH Zurich is constructing a new building for medical research – the GLC building – which will be ready by 2020. The artwork that currently stands between ETZ and the future GLC building will be preserved and integrated into the construction project.
ETH Zurich is constructing the new GLC building for medical technology research and applications on Gloriastrasse. The building will include spaces for the Department of Health Science and Technology (D-HEST) and the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-ITET), which can also be used for collaborative projects with industry, hospitals and the University of Zurich.
The GLC will be built on the grounds of the former Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology and the ETZ annex building, Gloriabar. Demolition has started, beginning the first phase of the construction project.
Information on the GLC project can be found on the ETH Zurich website under Infrastructure divisions > Real Estate > Current construction projects > Project GLC.
The annex to the ETZ building will be demolished during the construction of the GLC and the entrance will be relocated. Thus, the question arose as to what will happen to the concrete sculpture, created by Swiss artist Fredi Thalman, which currently stands in front of ETZ. While reviewing the project it became apparent that the sculpture could be integrated into the new building structure.
The artwork will remain in its original location, but it will effectively be repurposed: the concrete monument will serve as a separator, to accommodate a difference in ground levels. The artwork is also important to the identity of the place and is therefore worthy of preservation. As the sculpture’s surroundings are going to change, the organisers of the construction project are currently talking with the artist to discuss how exactly the artwork can later be integrated into the new building.
