Giving a new quality to the area surrounding the ETH Zurich observatory

Open spaces play an important role in the university district. They are a place for university members and hospital staff as well as residents to socialise and relax. They also create the paths connecting the buildings in the area and the district as a whole, while the greenery and shade help to improve the city of Zurich’s local climate.

One of these parks is the historic area surrounding the observatory, which was originally designed by Gottfried Semper in 1864. ETH Zurich has given particular attention to this outdoor space in recent months, factoring both past and future aspects into the process of upgrading and redeveloping it. The park’s present look pays homage to the original gardens while integrating current and future development plans in the university district as well. Most importantly, the park offers people from the local institutions and districts an attractive place to spend time, socialise and find some peace and quiet.

More open and green spaces, less parking

The focal point of the redevelopment project is the courtyard. Instead of the fountain seen in old drawings and pictures, a basin with an inviting seating arrangement around the edge was added to the courtyard. The open space and greenery have also been expanded by removing parking spaces and replanting the original walls. The terrace in front of the main entrance to the observatory was largely preserved and can now be used as a reception and exhibition space. A small, intimate garden offers a sanctuary-like space on the upper garden terrace connecting to the Department of Gynaecology.

The park as part of the observatory cascade

The redevelopment project was planned on the basis of the external page white paper on Zurich’s central university district, which was jointly drafted by ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich as well as the City and Canton of Zurich to lay out the principles for the development and planning principles in the university district. The paper describes the observatory as part of the “observatory cascade” that connects the Central plaza to the university district and features spaces that can be used for various public events.

One of these spaces is also located in front of the LFW building, which was named after the historical Institute of Agricultural Sciences and after 150 years is still considered the “core” of the agricultural sciences at ETH. The entrance portal recently received an upgrade with the replanting of green spaces, putting the fountain back into use and adding stone benches. In coordination with the city of Zurich’s current street development project on Rämistrasse and Tannenstrasse, this area was opened up towards the street, making it more accessible than before. In view of the further development of the university district, ETH plans to redevelop other exterior spaces in the coming years in ways that also consider the historic and urban planning context.

A more open, barrier-free main building forecourt

Redevelopment of ETH Zurich’s main building forecourt has been in progress since June 2021. The ground-level design will eventually provide barrier-free access and offer greater flexibility for a variety of events. The most noise-intensive demolition work will continue until early August. The forecourt will then be rebuilt in several phases and completed by September 2022. More information on the main building forecourt construction project and the parking garage under the main building can be found here.