Würth International, Rorschach
with Guigon & Guyer Architekten, 2009-2010
Würth AG is a leader in Swiss tooling manufacture and has decided to build its headquarters and training centre along the Riviera of the Constance Lake. The competition team, led by Gigon/Guyer Architects, proposed the winning design. The glass design offers a transparency and connection to the exterior spaces. The landscape project connects the site to the train station of Rorschach by a mineral piazza in order to infuse a civic character to this station arrival. Focusing on the existing landscape qualities of the lake edge and marina, the new design will strengthen the public use of the water edge. The existing vocabulary of green islands is further developed into a series of public spaces with different usages. Slight topographic changes within these spaces add movement to this long horizon, providing sitting variations and more privacy to the various outdoor spaces. At other times, the islands will be raised to act as green pedestals to house some sculpture pieces of Prof. Dr. Würth renowned art collection. Completion is planned for 2012.