Masonry Hall

Words & Photography: Karin Bürki

Concrete origami

What happens when Bauhaus ideals, béton brut aesthetics and Swiss engineering combine to build a workshop for masonry apprentices in postwar Basel?

Answer: probably one of the most elegant concrete origami in the world. If beauty is reduction, the architects serve it up here: concrete folds, glass fronts and plenty of air form a plain shed in the size of a church hall (the folded roof spans over 30 metres!). The result is a timeless piece of brutally pure brilliance. Today, Masonry Hall doubles as a lecture hall and multi-purpose space. From their accurately lined-up desks, students can enjoy the play of light on the concrete expanse or ponder about the whistling sound hot concrete makes when you spill a cold drink on it.

Why church hall meets shed (hint: Bauhaus)

The applied arts and vocational school was strongly influenced by the Bauhaus. Hermann Baur, the lead architect, was also active in church design. An advocate of ‘student-centred architecture’, he wanted to create a positive learning environment with light-flooded rooms, plenty of freedom of movement and easy access to nature and art. Masonry Hall is one of four school buildings loosely grouped around a central courtyard dominated by the striking concrete stele by artist Hans Arp. The student-centred, interdisciplinary approach, the emphasis on functional architecture and use of low-cost concrete reflected the shift towards a more open and anti-authoritarian society that began in the 1960s.

Concrete cosmetics - preserving the power of patina

Between 2006 and 2010 the school underwent a thorough renovation. Fortunately, it is hardly noticeable. Aware of the historical and cultural significance of the school, the commissioning Basel Department of Public Works and Transport closely collaborated with the Division of the Prerservation of Monuments and Historic Buildings. The repair work focused on preserving the architectural qualities of the buildings while optimising energy efficiency to meet today’s standards. The new timber and metal windows retain the structure, profile and colour scheme of the original timber windows. Great care was taken to preserve the characteristic patina of the different types of concrete, particularly on the façade, which was heavily soiled in places. Rather than using high-pressure cleaning, it was continuously washed with tap water over a period of time. State-of-the-art concrete cosmetics were also used to successfully prevent the telltale patches.