The steel foundry: an industrial monument becomes a new district

The success of the steel foundry project relied primarily on a compact construction and the revitalisation of the plot that kept the industrial heritage intact. A whole new district has risen where once tons of steel were poured. This historic project has seen the creation of 442 apartments, spacious commercial, service and catering facilitates, a school and around 6000 square meters dedicated to event venues.

The furnaces at Georg Fischer’s steel foundry went cold long ago, back in 1991, and have not been used since, making it the largest disused industrial hall in Switzerland. Measuring over 300 meters in length, it is one of the most prominent testaments to the industrial boom, far beyond the confines of the Canton of Schaffhausen. What makes this steel foundry so special are its impressive dimensions and how it faithfully follows the clear lines of a distinct architectural form. This is how three out of the four halls were retained. It became apparent early on that the 24-meter-long hall should be transformed into an public park from which all the other areas would stem. The roof of the hall is alternately open or covered. The new architecture weaves itself into the historical fabric. The enormity of the steel construction is not the only breathtaking feature; the high vertical windows facing Mühlentalstrasse convey a sense of divine awe through their sheer size.