Refurbishment «Haus zum Kiel», Zürich

The project
The aim of the overall renovation of the building was to create contemporary residential and commercial spaces, as well as an event room in the basement. In addition to the structural upgrades, this required adjustments to the escape routes. In addition, the annexes and outbuildings could also be converted into apartments. The existing wine cellar was converted for the event room and fitted with a new escape staircase between the buildings.

The construction method
The building with solid quarry stone walls and wooden beams showed various signs of damage to the building structure and load-bearing structure (cracks, fractures, rot) due to conversion and subsidence. In the basement in particular, the main load-bearing axis had to be strengthened. The existing column and beam system was completely replaced for this purpose. Fire protection upgrades were required in the storey ceilings.

The challenge
The relocations led to severe overloading of junctions. For this reason, the existing joist in the basement had to be replaced with a new 400 x 600 mm ash beam. In order to install these beams, a former coal chute had to be opened up and the approx. 10 m long beams installed.