Main Building forecourt: Why is it taking so long?
The new barrier-free forecourt of the Main Building will be fully available as of early 2024. Completion has been delayed due to an objection and the resulting late start of production in the quarry.
It has been noticeable for a while as you enter the Main Building through the front entrance: the forecourt is being restored and made barrier-free. However, the construction site seems pretty quiet at the moment. Why is that? The pause occurred due to the fact that the stonemason was only able to start the stone production after a delay while we awaited the result of an objection. Stone production will resume in August, allowing surfacing work to continue in full from the end of October.
The new forecourt will consist of 52 rows of stones, to be produced and laid by the end of the year. This will be followed by the area between the north and south porticoes, which connects the forecourt with the pavement of Rämistrasse. According to current plans, the new forecourt will then provide modern, barrier-free access to the Main Building as of the first quarter of 2024.
The natural stones are being laid radially instead of orthogonally. The granite comes from a quarry in Ticino and is pre-cut there. Each stone is specifically adapted to the shape of the forecourt.
Impressions from the quarry
The forecourt will offer greater flexibility of usage and barrier-free access. The height difference between the forecourt and the entrance to the Main Building will be levelled, creating a barrier-free connection between Rämistrasse and the forecourt. The forecourt will appear more spacious overall in the future thanks to the removal of the stone beds. It will be finished with radially arranged vegetation and a continuous seating area.
Alongside the work on the forecourt, window and façade work as well as fire protection measures and the renovation of the crypt are still underway in and on the Main Building. The historic Semper Aula is also set to be restored so that it can be used again from January 2025.
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