Renovation creates modern space for research and teaching in Zurich
The Carum Foundation has had the former nurses' tower block of the University Hospital Zurich extensively renovated and has now inaugurated it. It will continue to be used for educational and health purposes and offers space for 350 workstations on 17 floors.
The Careum Tower was officially inaugurated in mid-November after around two and a half years of renovation work. According to a statement from the Careum Foundation, which is in charge of the project, the former nurses’ tower block of the University Hospital Zurich(USZ) has now become a modern working and meeting place for education and healthcare. According to the statement, this will create more space on 17 floors in Zurich for the planned expansion in the field of medicine. This was celebrated at the inauguration with the Director of Education of the Canton of Zurich, Silvia Steiner, and the Director of University Medicine Zurich, Beatrice Beck Schimmer, among others.
The Careum Foundation has concluded a 40-year lease agreement with the USZ with an option to extend. There are now 6000 square metres of floor space available with the possibility of 350 workstations. The foundation itself, which offers training and further education in the healthcare sector, intends to use three of the 17 floors itself. The Careum Publishing House and the Careum Centre for Health Literacy, for example, will move into rooms. The remaining space has been let to institutes of the University of Zurich Medical School.
“We are thus expanding our campus and creating additional space for networking and inspiration between disciplines and institutions. In keeping with the purpose of our foundation, we are utilising the potential in Zurich’s university district to further promote education and research in the healthcare sector and make a contribution to healthcare provision,” Careum Foundation President Hans Werner is quoted as saying.
According to documentation, the historical character played a central role in the renovation. For example, two floors were left in their original state. According to the press release, the responsible experts from Bhend & Schlauri Architects worked closely with the City of Zurich’s monument preservation authorities.