«schorenstadt» residential estate: Implenia develops a beacon project for the 2000-Watt Society
Dietlikon, 9 February 2012 – «We develop and build the Switzerland of tomorrow.» – The «schorenstadt» project turns Implenia’s vision into reality. The flagship project comprises 43 town houses and 22 owner-occupied apartments in two multi-occupancy blocks. It is the first residential construction project submitted planning permission in Canton Basel-Town that meets all the criteria of the new (2011) Energy Efficiency Path (EEP) formulated by the SIA (Swiss Society Of Engineers And Architects). The EEP shows how the ambitious 2000-Watt Society targets can be achieved in building projects and sets targets not just for operating energy but also for grey energy (energy used in the actual construction) and mobility. «Employing wood-based construction techniques has made it possible to achieve excellent efficiency levels in grey energy», explains Silvan Bohnet, head of Implenia’s «schorenstadt» project. A number of additional measures are incorporated to ensure that the future residents can meet their mobility requirements in a sustainable manner. For instance, the «schorenstadt» will be a low car usage development with only 0.7 parking spaces per residential unit and no motorised overground traffic, but with charging points for electric vehicles and e-bikes. Certain measures are still under discussion, e.g. a greater frequency of public transport connections and the installation of a Mobility car-sharing point. Other features of the project geared to sustainability are the district heating system supplied by wood fuel, and the built-in photovoltaic panels, which will eventually generate carbon-neutral electricity. Silvan Bohnet is convinced: «The “schorenstadt” development is the optimal blend of sustainability and urban living.»
Architecture that combines sustainability and quality of life
Realising the «schorenstadt» involved inviting six architectural practices to submit design proposals. The winning proposal now scheduled for implementation was submitted by Burckhardt+Partner AG, Basel. An ultra-modern wood-based construction technique, spacious rooms flooded with daylight, French windows, generously sized roof terraces and loggias, open green spaces, a children’s playground and private gardens – these are the main features of an architectural design that breaks new ground in terms of sustainability and quality of life. If everything goes to schedule, construction work will begin on the Schoren site in the summer of 2012. The residents will presumably be able to move into the «schorenstadt» development in the spring of 2014.
Enhancing the Hirzbrunnen district
The Head of the Canton Basel-Town’s Construction and Transport Department, Councillor Dr Hans-Peter Wessels, welcomes the beacon project: «The “schorenstadt” will be a positive addition to the development of the Hirzbrunnen district. As a 2000-Watt Society project, it will make its presence felt far beyond the borders of the canton.» Councillor Wessels added that the canton’s governing council had set itself the goal of making Basel-Town a leader in energy efficiency, especially in construction and mobility. «With its “schorenstadt” development Implenia is underlining its expertise in sustainable building while implementing our own targets in an exemplary manner», he explained.
Developing sustainability-based projects as a key pillar of business
«To create residential and living space that meets society’s future needs, the key features of project development for us are social acceptance, environmental compatibility and economic viability», says René Zahnd, Head of the Implenia Real Estate Division. To create a truly sustainable construction project, the correct decisions need to be taken right from the outset, i.e. at the development stage. Implenia employs its own in-house assessment system GeNaB® (an acronym standing for «total evaluation of sustainable construction») to quantify the sustainability of a project at an early stage of development. René Zahnd maintains that «our evaluation system helps us to incorporate comprehensive sustainability into construction planning from the outset and thus to carry out flagship projects like the “schorenstadt”.»
Media conference
A presentation on the «schorenstadt» project will be given today, Thursday, as part of a media conference beginning at 10 a.m. in the «Gare du Nord» at Basel’s Badischer Bahnhof.
Implenia press officer
Roger Teuscher
Communications Manager
+41 44 805 45 65
The «schorenstadt» development combines sustainability with urban living and is a flagship 2000-Watt Society project.
Further information on the «schorenstadt» can be found at www.schorenstadt.ch.
Implenia Development is the specialist project development subsidiary of Implenia, Switzerland's leading construction and construction services company. Implenia, with its headquarters in Dietlikon near Zurich, employs more than 6,000 people and posted turnover of CHF 2.4 billion in 2010. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (IMPN, CH0023868554). For more information, please visit www.implenia.com.
