Green Light for New Main Building

The FORUM UZH is a key part of the University of Zurich’s future development. As a modern counterpart to the historic UZH main building located directly opposite, the new education and research center will form the future hub of the University of Zurich at the City Campus.

Today the Government Council of the Canton of Zurich approved the budget request for the FORUM UZH of CHF 598 million with a deduction of CHF 1.3 million for Percent for Art (Kunst am Bau). This marks another milestone in the development of the University of Zurich’s real estate. President Michael Schaepman is thrilled that the university will be able to realize its plans: “The government council has made a forward-looking decision for the continued development of Zurich’s university district.” François Chapuis, Vice President Real Estate and Facility Management, adds: “Now we have certainty and know that we will be able to create additional space for teaching and research.” The new building will have the capacity to accommodate growth in student numbers, with approximately 37,000 square feet of additional usable space. More than 700 individual study spaces are planned, and in total the complex will have space for almost 6,000 people to study, research and work.

The building will comprise nine stories, seven of them above ground which will be used for research and teaching. The top four stories will house the subject areas of law, business and economics, and modern languages. A modern space-use concept is intended to promote academic exchange. “With the new building, we will create the ideal conditions for interdisciplinary collaboration and the latest forms of teaching and learning, and provide modern research workplaces,” says Michael Schaepman. The FORUM UZH will not only bring fresh energy to academic learning and research, but will also enhance the surrounding neighborhood. Find out more in the longer article.