A filigree hydroelectric plant - Birsfelden
Overview
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Intro
A one-of-a-kind structure in Switzerland, Birsfelden hydroelectric power station sits proudly over the Rhine. The elegant machine hall is fully glazed along its length, enabling one to "glimpse the landscape through the building". Both the quotation and the engineering masterpiece stem from the celebrated Swiss architect Hans Hofmann.
Birsfelden power station reads as a crisp line in the landscape. It spans the full width of the Rhine, linking the Birsfelden and Kleinbasel waterfronts. The industrial upswing after the Second World War fuelled the demand for electricity in Basel. The power station was built between 1951 and 1954 under the supervision of architect Hans Hofmann to exploit the hydropower potential of the Rhine. Unlike previous run-of-river power stations, the structure designed by Hofmann was an airy, filigree composition.
The 120-metre-long, glazed machine hall with its undulating butterfly roof blends harmoniously with the natural riverscape. A counterpoint is provided by the five compact pier houses on the weir, from where the spectacular difference in water level can be contemplated. The overall composition is enhanced by a subtle colour scheme. With its lawns, twisting pathways and abundant tree stands, the island created by the construction of the two rectilinear locks, serves as a pleasant recreational area.
Trip tip
The power station is crossed by an official hiking trail and cycle path. Guided tours of the hydroelectric power station can be arranged for groups. Anyone wishing to explore the city on foot can visit the hydroelectric power station as part of the Dreiland-Wanderweg trail. The complete trail is a four-hour hike, but through three countries, but there are options for shortening it.
ISOS
ISOS is the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance. The inventory is maintained by the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) and lists the most significant settlements in Switzerland. Today, some 1,200 places are included in the inventory, from hamlets right through to cities. The inventory provides information on the development and identity of the settlements listed in it, thereby contributing to the preservation of architectural diversity in Switzerland and promoting both sustainable planning and a high-quality Baukultur.
