barozzi veiga clads tanzhaus zürich in façade of repetitive triangular openings

barozzi veiga has reactivated the promenade along the limmat river in zürich, switzerland, with tanzhaus zürich, a new cultural center for contemporary dance performances, workshops, and lessons. the building is defined as a simple and tiered volume clad in a façade of repetitive triangular openings which enables it to be integrated into the limmat’s urban environment. the openings also characterize the main interior spaces of the building, and establish its visual impact through the rich vegetation along the riverside, providing the dance school with a distinctive identity.all images by simon menges

tanzhaus zürich was designed by barozzi veiga after the barcelona-based studio won the 2014 international competition for the construction of a new tanzhaus and the reactivation of the promenade along the limmat river, following a damaging fire in 2012 which destroyed the previous premises. the project, which seeks to transform and redefine the current residential conditions of its location, comprises a simple volume that enables a new public space to be generated on its roof. at the same time, its tiered construction connects the existing itineraries at different levels that intertwine along the bank.

the building is integrated into the limmat’s urban environment through its main façade, which features the repetition of a singular element: the triangular openings. besides establishing a distinct identity for the tanzhaus‘s exterior, these openings also characterize the main spaces of the interior. inside, the program is clearly organized across two levels, separating private uses on the upper level from public uses on the lower one. this division permits, firstly, different accesses, which activate the circulation around the building, and secondly, work with different scales on the two levels, reinforcing the building’s public nature at the level in direct contact with the limmat.

project info:

name: tanzhaus zürich

architect: barozzi veiga

location: zürich, switzerland