Superblock Winterthur: A Project with Architect Krischanitz

The Superblock in the Swiss city of Winterthur is the winning design for the conversion of a former industrial site in today's heart of town. Continuing the given urban scale and structure, the Superblock combines a former workshop, a huge space where once the legendary vast Sulzer diesel engines were assembled, with new buildings. The new complex comprises large office spaces for Winterthur's municipal administration and for an international insurance company, as well a as multi-unit housing. A key feature is a vast central courtyard offering a public open space. This new book documents the Superblock project comprehensively. Photographs and numerous plans and visualisations show the development of the entire site and the new complex. In a conversation, architect Adolf Krischanitz explains his architectural and urbanist concept and offers insights to the design and building process. An essay on the eventful history of Sulzer's former manufacturing site, its recent development and new use rounds out the book. AUTHORS: Hans-Peter Bartschi, born 1950, studied architecture and did a PhD in economic history at ETH Zurich. He lives and works as a freelance publicist and researcher on industrial culture and heritage in Winterthur. Adolf Krischanitz, born 1946, was a cofounder of Missing Link architectural cooperative in 1970 before establishing his own firm in Vienna in 1979. He was a Visiting Professor at Technische Universitat Munchen 1988-89 and a Professor for Design and Urban Regeneration at University of the Arts Berlin 1992-2011. Axel Simon, born 1966, graduated in architecture and has been an editor with Hochparterre architecture and design magazine in Zurich since 2010. 100 colour, 50 b/w illustrations