SQUARE, Switzerland

A cutting-edge facility between the lake and the mountains

An icon of future-oriented learning

Designed by renowned architect Sou Fujimoto, SQUARE at the University of St. Gallen is a landmark of sustainable design. An experiential learning hub, this spectacular structure was built using our sustainable building solutions.

Special ECOPact+ mixes for ceilings and some of the walls used local recycled aggregates as well as our ECOPlanet Susteno cement – to significantly reduce use of primary raw materials and lower the building’s carbon footprint.

7,000

m²

of floor space

construction demolition materials inside Holcim’s ECOPlanet Susteno cement

3,000

m³

of ECOPact concrete using ECOCycle®

Sustainability

Local resources and energy-efficient design

Holcim’s ECOPact+ concrete contained local recycled aggregates, as well as ECOPlanet Susteno. We supplied these building solutions from our local ready-mix plant in St. Gallen, just 3 km away. SQUARE is also designed to minimize energy consumption and achieve a lower environmental footprint throughout its lifecycle.

distance from SQUARE to Holcim’s ready-mix plant

less CO₂ from ECOPlanet Susteno versus traditional cement

Innovation

Spotlight on new construction techniques

While SQUARE’s use of construction demolition materials marks it out as an icon of circular construction, its architectural design is also highly innovative. The building uses a hollow concrete system that achieves significant materials savings and improves the building’s seismic resilience.

900

+ hollows

cast directly into the ceilings

less mass thanks to ceiling hollows

Materials

Closing the material loop

Holcim’s sustainable building solutions ensured the durability, circularity and aesthetic appeal of this icon.

Our ECOPact+ concrete includes ECOPlanet Susteno, which was the first in Europe with up to 20% construction demolition materials inside, while locally recycled aggregates replaced natural gravel.

LEGACY

Engineering the future of education

As an innovative hub for thinking, learning and working - SQUARE has set a new benchmark - both as a striking architectural icon and through its use of Holcim’s sustainable building solutions.

“We found this eco concrete from Holcim. I thought it was a nice challenge to use a new technology of reducing carbon through concrete structures.”

Sou Fujimoto Architect behind SQUARE

“ECOPact was an experiment for us as it was the first time we worked with it. However, after gaining some experience with the behavior of ECOPact+, I am very satisfied. It's a wonderful concrete.”

Marcel Kunz Foreman at Feldmann Bau

Images: Roland Halbe | @rolandhalbe | #rolandhalbe #rolandhalbephotography

LEARNING