Cloud City

Cloud City is the transformation of an old infrastructure building of the swiss postal service to a huge structure, where all kinds of workspace concepts can be tested. Different typologies, piled to towers provide different spacial conditions, from the oldschool regular office, to the Google-like creativity campus, next to the Basel mainstation.

The design is thought to be an experimenting structure, where different gradients of residency, accommodation and working spaces can be tested. The design consists of conventional office typologies. Stacked on top of each other, they create an appropriate architectural setting. The experiment will take place in Basel, close to the SBB mainstation, where an infrastructural building of the Postal Service is located. The stacked typologies are going to sit upon it: cluster, block, rows and towers. They all follow the construction system of the existing building, which is 13 x13 m. The positioning of these elements is derived by light exposure and decreasing mutual shading. To keep the interior as flexible as possible, all permanent elements will be shifted to the facade. The static structure is located on the outside. Elevators and technical provision (electricity, water, heating etc.) are carried by external supply towers, which are always located north of the respective building segment. All staffage and furniture in the floorplans should be considered as a proposal. They can change due to the experiment, in periods of three to five years. The emerging building is not meant to be an office for a single company. In fact, many people from varying branches can find a workplace here. To maintain this, each typology provides specific facilities. The cluster works like a public library, the stay can last several hours up to one day. Users will also find a conference hall, a canteen and shops with basic consumables. The blocks contain rather informal concepts, like coworking/coliving spaces, podsharing and other hostels. The rows carry all kinds of hotels, with more service and comfort. Finally the towers host most exclusive spaces, fullfilling maximum requirements regarding privacy and security. In conclusion: the time of stay, service, price and limited accessability increase from each typology to the next. Of course it is not all about working the whole day, there is also space for leisure and resting on all levels. The outdoor facilities and gardens on the roof are perfect for a walk or just to enjoy the view.