Walzerwerk – Ideas Competition for Students

The Walzwerk site, nestled between Münchenstein and Arlesheim in Baselland, has evolved from an aluminium factory into a versatile hub for work, culture and leisure. Founded in 1918 by Giorgio Giulini, it remained a centre of aluminium production for over 80 years. Following its closure in 1999, the site, covering over 50,000 m², was revitalised by informal users until 2004, when the Sefer Foundation acquired the site and, together with Kantensprung Verwaltung, laid the foundations for a diverse tenant mix. Since 2017, SF Urban Properties AG has been the owner and is committed to promoting mixed-use development and sustainability. Today, the site, which includes a further development in Arlesheim, comprises 50,589 m² of land and approximately 28,000 m² of rental space. There are over 90 tenants, and the site attracts between 300 and 400 visitors daily. Commerce, education and culture, together with gastronomy and leisure, form an exciting hub in the region.

The site offers a unique opportunity to explore issues of densification, mixed-use development, public space, built heritage and ecological resilience. Participants are invited to work with the site’s existing character rather than erasing it, and to propose interventions that create lasting social, spatial and economic value.

Full site documentation, plans and context maps will be made available to registered participants.

The Walzwerk site offers a unique opportunity to explore issues relating to densification, mixed-use development, public space, built heritage and ecological resilience. Participants are invited to work with the site’s existing character rather than erasing it, and to propose interventions that create lasting social, spatial and economic value.

The aim of the competition is to develop a conceptual design for the further development of the Walzwerk site into a sustainable, mixed-use urban quarter. Participants are to develop a spatial and programmatic concept that engages with the existing fabric and sensibly integrates new uses and architectural interventions. We are seeking conceptually strong yet comprehensible entries that develop a clear stance on the site and implement this in a spatially convincing manner. The designs should respect and build upon the character of the Walzwerk site rather than replace it.

A vertical DIN A0 poster (PDF, max. 20 MB)
The poster must contain all relevant graphic and written content. This includes: conceptual diagrams, site and location plans, floor plans, sections, elevations, as well as perspectives or visualisations.

The following information must be clearly visible on the poster:

Gross floor area (GFA): Specification of the planned total GFA in m²

Mix of uses: Overview of the intended uses (residential, commercial, cultural, open space, etc.)

Intervention strategy: Specification of whether the project involves new construction, conversion/repurposing or a combination thereof. Or an interior design concept, garden, etc.

Materialisation: A sketch-like description of materiality and construction principles

Contextual reference: Presentation of how the project is embedded in the urban environment and how it relates to the existing built environment

An A4 summary sheet (PDF, editable template)
The summary sheet must be completed using the provided template and must include: project theme, team composition (name, university, degree programme of all members) and an abstract of no more than 150 words.

All documents must be submitted digitally to hochschulwettbewerb@sfp.ch. Physical submissions will not be considered.

The competition is open to students enrolled at a recognised university or university of applied sciences in the fields of architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture or a related discipline. Requirements:

• Active enrolment until at least December 2026 (Bachelor’s/Master’s degree – flexible)
• Participation only in groups of up to 4 people
• Interdisciplinary teams welcome (all professional backgrounds and disciplines welcome)