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Switzerland (Zurich) | Education | noraplan® sentica, noraplan® sentica ed

Balgrist Campus, Zurich: Many top researchers - one flooring

Rubber floor coverings support the open-space concept on Zurich’s Balgrist Campus

Top researchers from different disciplines work side by side with industry representatives here: A pioneering medical research and development center for the musculoskeletal system was put into operation on the grounds adjacent to Balgrist University Hospital in Zurich at the end of 2015. It aims to promote interdisciplinary exchange between patients, doctors, researchers and industry. The sophisticated international research environment required a newly designed, innovative laboratory and office concept. The idea was to encourage unhindered communication and knowledge transfer between the different teams. The result is a deliberately open-space building design with transparent, split-level stories. The architect and building owner wanted the flooring to support the architectural concept. The rubber floor coverings from nora systems ideally combine aesthetics and functionality while supporting the innovative building concept.

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Integrated solution for all areas

“The open-space concept and arrangement of stories according to the split-level principle allow a high degree of transparency and visual contact at the Balgrist Campus,” says Hendrik Johannsen from the architect’s office Nissen Wentzlaff in Basel. The flooring constitutes a unifying element in the open-space design over split levels – as one and the same floor covering was installed throughout the entire building. It thus had to be just as suitable for the highly exposed laboratories as for the representative lobby in the entrance area. “We wanted integrated flooring leading from one split-level to the next, thus connecting the various uses,” explains Project Manager Johannsen. “Rubber is easy to shape and adapt to existing geometries such as stairs and skirting, creating a virtually seamless, homogeneous look.

Effective ESD protection

The building owner and the architect chose noraplan® sentica and dissipative special covering noraplan® sentica ed, which have now been installed on around 5,000 m² and 3,000 m² respectively throughout the building. The electrostatic dissipative “ed” rubber floor ensures optimum protection of electronic components, modules and devices, while protecting laboratory employees against electrical shock. Yet another feature distinguishes the flooring: it is largely resistant to oils and greases.

Harmonious colour concept

In addition to the functional aspects, the building owner was also impressed by the rubber flooring’s harmonious colour concept: The light beige is a custom production and supports the open spatial effect. noraplan® sentica’s colour system consists of 32 colours that are supplemented by six accentuating solitaire colours. noraplan® sentica’s subdued design gives the flooring surface a uni-coloured appearance, while the rooms create welcoming and peaceful impression. The harmonious granule interspersion effectively hides stains. noraplan® sentica thus shows that high functionality and stylish design are not mutually exclusive.

Data and facts

Building Balgrist Campus, Zurich, Schwitzerland
Architect Nissen Wentzlaff Architekten BSA SIA AG, Basel, Switherland
Installation Year 2015
Photographer Ruedi Walti (top image, 2, 3); Fotographer of Facility Services, Claudia Binder (1, 4, 5, 6)
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Warteraum und Empfang Balgrist Campus Zürich
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Stairwell solution with nora floor-coverings in Swiss research building

Products

noraplan® sentica

Rubber floor covering with a changing base colour of harmoniously matched colour components.

noraplan® sentica ed

Electrostatically dissipative “ed” floorings for optimum ESD protection of electronic devices and equipment. Protect against electrical shock, resist most oils and greases.

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