By A Hub of Innovation and Nature
Bryum has embarked on a visionary journey to shape the masterplan of the Hoffmann-La Roche AG campus, situated in Kaiseraugst, Switzerland, poised to accommodate 8,000 future employees. Nestled in the picturesque lowlands of the Rhine Valley, the campus stands as a beacon of ecological stewardship and urban connectivity, weaving seamlessly between the natural splendor of the Black Forest, the Vosges, and the Jura mountains in the greater Basel area. Rooted in a rich tapestry of settlement history and cultural heritage, the campus emerges as an ecological corridor, forging vital connections with its surrounding landscape.
A New Heart: The Central Park
At the heart of the campus lies the Central Park, an oasis of tranquility and biodiversity, meticulously crafted to harmonize with the Rhine Valley’s distinctive landscape typologies. Serving as a verdant sanctuary for both humans and nature, the park embodies a thriving ecosystem, ingeniously engineered above an underground parking garage. This ambitious endeavor required a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together a diverse team of experts, including hydrologists, ecologists, architects, and landscape architects, to realize a shared vision of sustainability and coexistence.
Fostering Ecological Resilience
Embracing the ethos of unpredictability, the park’s design mirrors the dynamic interplay of flora and fauna in the floodplain habitat. Here, disturbances serve as catalysts for growth and adaptation, fostering a rich tapestry of biodiversity. Through intentional interventions and human interaction, users become integral agents in the ecosystem, shaping new niches and habitats. The park’s rich botanical diversity, boasting 80 species of regional trees and 130 species of perennials, pays homage to the area’s ecological heritage, with a focus on native vegetation and habitat restoration.
A Tapestry of Connectivity
Distinct from its counterparts, the Central Park embraces a novel approach to path connections, inviting visitors on a journey of discovery and contemplation. Guided by a choreography of detours and visual axes, pedestrians become urban flaneurs, navigating through pavilion-like structures and verdant corridors. The park’s vegetative borders serve as natural thresholds, framing vistas of architectural marvels and inviting exploration. Groups of trees punctuate open spaces, offering moments of respite and connection with nature amidst the bustling campus environment.
A Testament to Local Identity and Global Vision
Drawing inspiration from the English landscape park tradition and the Rhine Valley’s natural beauty, the Central Park celebrates the symbiotic relationship between industry and ecology. With its diverse array of local plant species and spatial compositions, the park embodies Roche’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. As a testament to the company’s global reach and local roots, the Central Park stands as a living testament to the harmonious coexistence of innovation and nature.
