Architecture
The building is a compact entity with a large glass-roofed atrium which allows daylight and - a welcome feature in winter - the heat from the sun to enter the building. The reinforced steel frame construction acts as a heat and cold storage unit, while the interior clay and gypsum walls in the offices regulate air humidity. The escape balconies are accessible from every room and are fitted with the striking blue glass panels which turn to follow the sun and provide shade or let in the sun according to the season. The rooms are distributed in a U shape around the 5-storey atrium which offers a true spatial experience with its suspended meeting cubicles and the open staircase. The reception and exhibition area in the atrium can also be used for major events. A model of the water molecule with an image projection system is the eye-catching feature in the entrance area.
The space allocation plan comprises 150 office workstations, a lecture hall for 80-140 persons, 2 seminar rooms for 30-40 persons each, seven meeting rooms for a total of 106 persons, contact areas on four floors with desks and seating areas, the library shared by Eawag and Empa, the aQa staff canteen as well as adjoining rooms and technical service areas.
Construction data
| Volume (SIA 116) | 38615 | m³ |
| Floor area FA (SIA 416) | 8533 | m² |
| Roof area (building footprint) | 1886 | m² |
| Energy reference area ERA | 11170 | m² |
| Energy reference area ERA (uncorrected) | 8270 | m² |
| Capacity of hot water tank | 12 | m³ |
| Capacity of reservoir in the water garden | 80 | m³ |
| Building cost classification (BCC 1-8) | 29’700 | k SFr |
| Solar panel system incl. converter, etc. | 888 | k SFr |
| Vacuum tube collector system incl. pipes | 136 | k SFr |
| Additional costs compared to a standard building | 1'400 | k SFr (4.7% of construction costs) |
| Offices | 150 | workstations |
| Lecture hall | 140 | seats |
| Seminar and meeting rooms | 180 | seats |
| Staff canteen | 150 | seats |
| Standard capacity | 220 | persons |