INNOVATION PARK ZURICH
At the Innovationspark Zurich (IPZ) site, Max Dudler is transforming the heritage-listed Hall 4 of the Dübendorf-Wangen airfield into a hub for aerospace technology on behalf of the University of Zurich. The historic aircraft hangar becomes a new workplace and meeting space, symbolizing the University’s activities within the IPZ. The protected hangar is preserved as an envelope for the elegantly integrated new structure, conceived as a “house within a house.”
Hall 4, a “Mathéz” type hangar, was constructed in 1925. Between 1922 and 1924, seven identical hangars measu- ring approximately 20 meters in width, 60 meters in length, and nearly 8 meters in height were built on-site. The rendered façades, featuring rear skylights, are supported by a riveted iron framework beneath a gently sloped monopitch roof. Its long side facing the airfield is dominated by large sliding doors and a steep clerestory band and forms an impressive and functional frontage. These „standard aircraft hangars“ were economically sourced from surplus military stock in Germany after World War I.
The new programmatic layer takes the form of a minimalist sculptural volume inserted into the hangar. Like a fine inlay, the new structure interlocks with the delicate iron framework without physically touching it. Instead, it organi- zes the expansive space, creating zones for workshops and laboratories both within and around it. The deliberate staging of the crystalline volume is achieved by maintaining a clear distance from all exterior walls. This interplay of integration and separation generates a dynamic symbiosis between old and new, yielding a spatial narrative of juxtaposition and cohesion.
The southern façade, with its large doors facing the airfield, is left unobstructed, serving as a representative zone and workspace. The direct visual connection between the airfield, the open hangar space, and the new volume en- sures both aesthetic and functional unity.
The closed rear wall of Hall 4 is reimagined as a “backbone,” functioning as a technical corridor. Exposed utility conduits are deliberately showcased, adding to the industrial character. The laboratory spans two levels: a ground floor and a gallery level, accessed by three integrated staircases within the volume.
The “crystal,” constructed with a visible internal spruce wood framework and encased in a glazed façade, complements the existing structure with its transparency and clarity. All materials meet the highest sustainability standards, remaining uncoated and unfinished apart from a light stain.
The Innovationspark Zurich aims to bridge academia and industry. Hall 4 now stands as a nucleus for aerospace innovation, fostering knowledge and technology transfer while promoting new developments. At its core, the project emphasizes the human element as the primary source of innovation.
