Three-storey timber construction for new training centre in Meiersboda
The general planning team with the architects atelier tsu GmbH from Chur and studiospazio/bersa inc. from Zurich won the open project competition for the new civil defence training centre in Meiersboda with the "ZicZAC" project. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2025.
With a competition, the canton was looking for a project in which sustainability is implemented as an integral component, combined with high-quality architecture. Six teams of planners took on the task of planning a project for the new civil defence training centre in Meiersboda in the municipality of Churwalden, aiming for net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Aspects such as recyclability, optimised microclimate, solar power production and energy storage should also be included in the planning.
Unanimous decision
The jury dealt intensively with the proposals received and decided unanimously in favour of the winning project “ZicZAC”. The project comes from the general planner/architect team atelier tsu GmbH from Chur and studiospazio/bersa inc. in Zurich. Their project envisages a three-storey wooden building. The jury was particularly impressed by its clear basic structure, the use of natural building materials, simple construction principles, the low-tech building services concept and the high degree of internal flexibility. Developed as a complete system, the project offers an ideal starting point for meeting changing needs in the long term as well.
“This project meets all the desired requirements to a very high degree and convinces with its holistic and future-oriented approach to sustainable building,” says the chairperson of the jury, Cantonal Councillor Carmelia Maissen, head of the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Mobility.
New replacement building instead of complete renovation
The new Meiersboda training centre with catering, teaching and accommodation areas is to replace the current school and accommodation building, which was constructed in 1975/76. After almost 50 years of operation, a new replacement building is necessary for economic, operational and sustainability reasons. A utility value analysis as well as CO2 and sustainability calculations showed that a new replacement of the school and accommodation building at the same location has advantages over a complete renovation.
The new Meiersboda training centre will complement the modern training facility that has been completed for the Civil Defence and its partner organisations. The new replacement building will complete the Meiersboda site with the existing storage and instruction hall as well as the workshop.
Occupation in spring 2027
After the elaborated construction project is available, the Grand Council is to discuss the corresponding construction bill during the April 2024 session. If the parliament approves the project, it will be submitted to the Graubünden electorate for approval in September 2024. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2025, and the new training centre is expected to be ready for occupation in spring 2027.