Further units moving to Octavo

The ETH members already working in the Octavo Building in Zurich-Oerlikon will soon be welcoming new colleagues, as ETH Zurich is in future to bundle its Executive Board domains for Infrastructure (VPIN), Personnel Development and Leadership (VPPL), and Finance and Controlling (VPFC) at this location. The following units are expected to move to the Octavo Building in the first quarter of 2024 and supplement the VPIN and VPPL departments already located there:

• Vice Presidency for Finance and Controlling (VPFC) – currently located in the ETH Main Building and SEW Building in Scheuchzerstrasse;
• KV teaching laboratory (VPPL) / IT teaching laboratory / apprentice media technicians and interactive media designers / Young 'n' Rising (all VPIN) – currently accommodated in the HCP Building on the Hönggerberg campus and in the ONA Building in Oerlikon;
• Administrative Office of the ETH Alumni Association.

The relocation of the building automation team of the Engineering and Systems department (VPIN) is also under review.

Perfect opportunities for interaction

The relocation offers many advantages: “We at VPFC are currently spread across various locations and different floors in the Main Building. Moving to the Octavo Building will give us a shared location for the entire Vice Presidency. This will enable us to interact both among ourselves and with the other administrative units even better and faster,” says Stefan Spiegel, Vice President for Finance and Controlling. “This offers major benefits despite the fact that relocation is of course not always easy and can be a very emotional issue.”

State-of-the-art office and working concepts

Modern infrastructure and state-of-the-art office and working concepts await the “newcomers” in the Octavo Building: The majority of workplaces are shared in accordance with the shared desk system, areas of retreat are provided for quiet working or confidential discussions and meeting zones are ideal places for breaks and spontaneous exchange.

“These modern office concepts also comply with the Confederation’s mandate to provide flexible and efficient workplace models,” says Ulrich Weidmann, Vice President for Infrastructure. “And on top of that, the bundling of VPIN, VPPL and VPFC at a shared location will enable us to reduce our rental space and thereby contribute to the financial enhancement of ETH.”

New occupancy concept

A core goal will be to achieve the best possible overall occupancy for all units in the Octavo Building – both those already there and those moving in. In order to ensure this, an occupancy concept is being jointly drawn up as part of the “Future of Work @ OCT” project. “I look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to the Octavo Building next year,” says Ulrich Weidmann. “The building offers us a place where we can collaborate actively and efficiently and where everyone can feel at home.”