Merck Serono

The building complex of the pharmaceutical company Merck Serono on Lake Geneva consists of three new buildings with an underground car park below and three completely gutted and renovated old buildings. The new buildings in particular are characterised by their filigree, highly transparent facades.

Hydraulically Opening Glass Roof

A special feature is the Forum roof, which can be opened hydraulically and is approx. 60 m long. To minimise the opening forces, the roof is equipped with a counterweight. Another special feature is the steel and glass construction of the Forum facade, which is braced by radially arranged and prestressed cables. Integrated into this facade are two approx. 12 m high, glass revolving doors.

Architecture
Jahn Architecture Inc., Chicago/USA

Planning time
2002 − 2004

Construction time
2004 − 2006

Services by Werner Sobek

  • Structural engineering (WP 1 − 6 acc. to § 64 HOAI)
  • Facade engineering (WP 1 − 6 acc. to § 64 HOAI)

GFA
64,000 m²

Client
Serono International S.A., Geneva/Switzerland

Photography
Rainer Viertlböck, Gauting/Germany

Awards
AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award 2007 – Citation of Merit
Schweizer Stahlbaupreis Prix Acier 2009

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