focus Terra Switzerland : Architecture Information

focus Terra - a tower for the treasures of the earth images - 2 Apr 2009: Photos © Holzer Kobler Architekturen, Photo Susana Bruell Holzer Kobler Architekturen We are pleased to announce the opening of the exhibit "focusTerra" at the Natural Sciences Institute at the ETH Zurich. The new exhibit is located in the newly renovated Naturwissenschaften Ost building on the campus of the ETH. The concept and design connect the existing historical-mineralogical-geological collection with contemporary research done at the institute. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a tower located in the covered courtyard. The free-standing spiral form of the exhibition tower sets itself confidently apart from the existing building. Analogous to the forces at work below the earth`s surface, the tower spirals up three levels reaching just below the skylight of the inner courtyard. A staircase and a continuous ribbon of showcases connect different levels of the exhibition in a seamless continuum, and guide visitors through the fascinating layers of the earth: from the dynamic processes inside the earth`s core, the treasures hidden below its surface, to the intriguing `archives` preserved in its strata through the ages. Holzer Kobler Architects, Zürich curated the exhibit material in close collaboration with the scientists at the Natural Sciences Institute at ETH, and were responsible for the entire design process. The implementation of the design was carried out in partnership with ANS Architects and Planer AG. focus Terra image / information from Holzer Kobler Architekturen ETH Zürich, focusTerra Gebäude NO, Sonneggstrasse 5 8006 Zürich Tel. +41 44 632 62 81 info_focusterra@erdw.ethz.ch www.focusterra.ethz.ch