Project details
660 mm x 110 mm x 8.0 mm
Naturals collection
Office in Zurich, Switzerland
Two historic Zurich buildings. One unified vision. Swiss studio Evolution Design has masterfully balanced local heritage with global corporate identity across a 9,200-square-meter campus for an international consulting firm. The result? An award-winning workspace that makes a lasting impression.
The heritage puzzle
The campus is defined by the rich history of the buildings it occupies. The office on Pelikanstrasse is characterized by angular shapes, precise lines, and a serene atmosphere, reflecting its historic origins as a commercial and office building and the residence of a prominent Swiss industrialist family.
Just a short walk away, the Sihlstrasse office tells a very different story. Once a cinema and later a fashion department store, its curved, dynamic façade and generous window openings give it an open, welcoming character rooted in art and culture.
Bringing together such contrasting identities into one cohesive campus was a significant challenge - and central to the project’s success.
From the drawing board…
"We started this project with defining the corporate values and storyline," explains Tanya Ruegg, Creative Director at Evolution Design. "Location, well-being, global brand identity, local cultural context… We build it together slowly with the client, layer by layer." The goal was to create a 360-degree experience. So, every element had to serve the overall narrative, from architectural decision to the material selections.
… to realisation
The result is two work environments that fuse tradition with modernity. The champagne glazing of the Sihlstrasse window frames, for example, complements the colour scheme inside. The building’s curved features are continued internally through rounded lighting choices, furniture and even outlines in the floor.
The original herringbone floor also needed a contemporary interpretation. But traditional wood options presented obstacles. Floor height requirements and the heavy corporate traffic eliminated solid wood. That’s why Tanya and her team choose Coretec® floors, a flooring brand known for their premium wood and tile inspired floors.
The authenticity test
Evolution Design selected Coretec® Lumber Herringbone from the Naturals Collection, a modern plank with an oak décor. The same flooring was used for the stairs and even in curved corners of furniture. "The flooring proved more versatile than expected. Real wood wouldn't achieve this level of application," Tanya explains.
The bevelled edges add the depth and finish of a real hardwood look. Some Coretec ® floors even have an advanced Embossed in Register technology that creates incredibly realistic wood grain patterns. Perhaps the most telling measure of the flooring's success lies in visitor reactions. "Nobody could believe that it wasn't real wood! Even design professionals were convinced they were walking on real wood," Tanya reveals.
International recognition
Evolution Design's thoughtful approach didn't go unnoticed. The project recently won two gold awards at the International Architecture and Design Awards and Arch Design Awards, and a silver award at the prestigious FRAME Awards.
The success highlights the incredible level of thought and consideration that went into every decision. Creating a cohesive storyline across two vastly different buildings while balancing client preferences with design vision is no easy task. The thoughtful application of innovative materials like Coretec® shows how the right choices can solve practical challenges while enhancing the overall design story.