Oppenheim Architecture designs a Swiss water purification plant with a twist

The Swiss municipality of Muttenz now has a water purification plant with a twist. Far from the traditional industrial facility that remains off-limits to the members of the public, this innovative treatment centre is a truly interactive experience, and open to all by appointment – and who could resist taking an informative tour of how a modern facility of its kind works?
Combining technology, education and preservation, the building, designed by Miami-based Oppenheim Architecture, is swiftly becoming a new landmark for the wider Basel area. The plant’s sculptural form is distinctive. The architects aimed to work with materials that blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment; strengthening the structure’s message of sustainability along the Rhine River waterfront.
The facility's distinctive, sculptural form is becoming iconic for the area.
At the same time, the design had to address practical issues such as upkeep and a meaningful connection with its surroundings. Low maintenance, tactile shotcrete (concrete sprayed on a surface through a hose) was used for the façade and roof in order for the design to feel natural and be able to take on patina and mature together with its setting among protected woodland.
Bridging state-of-the-art technology with existing ecosystems and producing potable water of the highest standard, this project, led by practice director Chad Oppenheim, highlights exactly how iconic architecture can be both subtle and work with nature.
This water purification facility has been designed to be open to all by appointment
The structure’s defining exterior was made using shotcrete (concrete sprayed on a surface through a hose).
The architects wanted the design to blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings
And of course, the plant produces potable water of the highest standard.
INFORMATION
For more information visit the Oppenheim Architecture website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture Editor at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018) and Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020).
-
Alcova's Miami debut embodies the city's mix of chill and speed
Inside the Miami debut of Milanese design show Alcova, set within the iconic 1950s Selena Gold Rush Motel
By Maria Sobrino Published
-
Ghada Amer’s provocative embroidered texts speak of feminism and activism
Ghada Amer explores the power of words in ‘QR Codes Revisited – London’ at Goodman Gallery in London’s Mayfair
By Nargess Shahmanesh Banks Published
-
Berlin's Atelier Gardens gets bright yellow focal point within MVRDV masterplan
The bright yellow HAUS 1 becomes a key addition to Atelier Gardens in Berlin, part of an ever-evolving, sustainable masterplan by MVRDV
By Harriet Thorpe Published
-
CERN Science Gateway: behind the scenes at Renzo Piano’s campus in Geneva
CERN Science Gateway by Renzo Piano Building Workshop announces opening date in Switzerland, heralding a new era for groundbreaking innovation
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Herzog & de Meuron’s SIP Main Campus weaves together nature and sculptural concrete
SIP Main Campus, a new workspace by Herzog & de Meuron, completes on the Swiss-French border
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Studio Tropicana, Switzerland and Italy: Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2023
Based in Switzerland and Italy, Studio Tropicana is part of the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2023, our annual round-up of exciting emerging architecture studios
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Battersea Power Station redesign heralds new era for London landmark
We tour the freshly redesigned Battersea Power Station, a legendary piece of London architecture and its growing, new urban hub
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Heir lift: a Swiss architect rebuilds a family legacy in St Moritz
By Sophie Lovell Published
-
Minimalism and transparency rule at Luxottica’s Digital Factory in Milan
Luxottica's Digital Factory by Milan-based architects Park Associati is the latest addition to the city's via Tortona neighbourhood
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Cascading terraces define this concrete apartment building in Basel
A minimalist concrete apartment building in Switzerland features cascading terraces to a design by architects KohlerStraumann
By Jonathan Bell Last updated
-
Shangri-La Shougang Park: industrial building turned fantastical hotel
Lissoni & Partners has designed Shangri-La Shougang Park, a new hotel in Beijing that reimagines industrial architecture for the hospitality world
By Nasra Abdullahi Last updated