Science City incites discussion, in Zurich and elsewhere. In Berlin, the Science attachés from numerous countries manifested a high level of interest in the Science City Exhibition, which now moves on to Barcelona. Critique concerning the extension plans has been raised in the meantime by local environmentalists and some of the neighbouring population. According to Gerhard Schmitt, ETH Vice-president Planning, the whole idea of the type of development process chosen for the project is that critique is not swept under the carpet but taken seriously in order to include it as a framework condition.

This openly declared sensitivity towards diverse and contradictory requirements is one of the maxims that characterises the process, said the Science City "father" at ETH Hönggerberg last weekend on the occasion of the public presentation and discussion of this summer's test planning phase. Another maxim is to create a campus with a decidedly European character, one without the separative tendencies than can be observed on some US university campuses. A third maxim is to set new standards in a considerate use of resources, which included ground, energy and funds, said Schmitt. Four teams of architects have now presented their proposals for the next steps towards Science City. Three of them have ties to ETH Zurich via the chairs they hold and can hardly be said to be unknown quantities.

Wiel Arets: a meandering surface marks out and limits Science City. large

Organic platform: Wiel Arets

The design of the Dutch team of architects proceeds from the idea that Science City will primarily be an inviting and attractive venue for communication and action. A special, "programmable" tarmac surface covers the grounds and is defined against its surroundings by a softly irregular, continuous borderline. Arets' project does not include any concrete construction proposals. Instead, a still-to-be-defined set of ground rules serve to set the tone for the constructional development. In this way flexibility can be maintained to react to unexpected scientific or social developments. The spider-web like structure encouraging informal routes throughout the site is especially striking. There is ample room for cultural and leisure activities along the traffic-free periphery, which affords a counterbalance to the intellectual challenge of research and teaching. Science City thus presents itself open to all sides and accessible.

Kees Christiaanse: Density, staggering and sophisticated organisation. large

Many-layered networks: Kees Christiaanse

In his design, Kees Christiaanse, ETH Professor of Architecture and Urban Construction, interprets Science City as a labyrinthian kind of system. The area is filled, not with individual buildings, but more with a sequence of inner and outer "interiors", inner courtyards and atria. Christiaanse's concept aims at a staggered arrangement of intertwining spheres, from public to semi-public to private.

The principle of a constant change lies at the root of thie theme "Living, as well. Living quarters, for example, are spread out all over the site in order to achieve a multiple usage and create an animated atmosphere. The ground floors, set at the very heart of the campus, are transparent and destined for public use. Using a neat transport strategy, the congress centre is situated directly on top of the existing underground garage. It combines itself elegantly with further facilities –like the hotel and library–to create a public centre.

Urban accents: Vittorio Magnago Lampugnani

The design of the ETH Professor for the History of Urban Development is characterised by a clearly visible separation of old and new. Steiner's "Garden City" and Campi's Five-Finger-Construction are left practically unchanged. In the two west-facing quadrants, on the other hand, Lampugnani plans to combine accommodation and working quarters to a tight-knit whole–in the manner of an old town quarter that has grown over time.

Strikingly clear structures: Vittorio Magnago Lampugnani. large

What is striking about this planning's variant is that it takes leave of HIL. The outlay of Science City is defined by a clear transport axis set out between two "portals" leading off to Höngg and Affoltern. This axis also serves as an urban boulevard. A prominent landmark of this plan, visible from afar, is the congress centre combined with hotel in the southeast corner of the grounds.

Andrea Deplazes: Sustainability and decisive forms. large

Designed landscape: Andrea Deplazes

The first development study for Science City was that of ETH Professor of Architecture Andrea Deplazes in 2003. The further developed design pays great attention to the hilly character of the surrounding landscape. Deplazes' current proposal now foresees a generous passage running between the Hönggerberg and the Käferberg to allow the movement of wildlife. New, too, is the living space, which is planned as rows of houses along the northern perimeter. The two prominent towers in the northwest and southwest, which are also new, house additional living apartments. The congress centre, together with the boulevard, is the centre of the public space. The firm decision to employ environmentally friendly methods and a careful use of resources is overwhelmingly apparent in the entire project. The feeding of the small lake adjacent to Science City, for example, or the use of wind to generate power for the knowledge city.

Predicate: convincing. The successful design for the Sports Center from Dietrich/Untertrifaller. large

Firm from Bregenz wins Sports Center Competition

The decision as to which of the above proposals should be followed up is due in September. The final decision on the competition for the for the new Sports Centre Hönggerberg is already made and the clear winner is the design of the firm Dietrich/Untertrifaller from Bregenz, Austria. The planned complex is low and functional and blends into the landscape to the east. The roof of the centre is, literally, a playing field, housing as it does the outdoors sports area. The smooth, greenish glass body of the centre presents an extremely generous entrance area to signalise accessibility to all (1).