Where once the resonant tones of brass instruments filled the air, a different kind of drama now unfolds at Zurich‘s Sihlhölzli pavilion: the rhythmic movements of physical exercise. This architectural treasure, originally built in 1932 by city architect Hermann Herter and engineer Robert Maillart, has undergone a remarkable transformation, shifting from a celebrated music venue to a vibrant calisthenics facility.
The restoration, spearheaded by Camponovo Baumgartner in collaboration with the city’s Sports Office, marks a significant chapter in the pavilion’s history. Once hailed as a “famous splendid shell” in the local Wiediker Post 85 years ago, the building, now a listed concrete structure, has been given a new lease on life, welcoming a sporting public after decades of disuse.
Gone are the orchestral performances, replaced by the dynamic choreography of athletes engaging with metal sports equipment. The heart of the transformation is a striking, fire-red-orange speckled rubber granulate surface, upon which a monolithic yet easily removable sports platform rests. This “tongue,” crafted from a wooden and steel substructure, extends into the pavilion’s wide-open shell, inviting users to push their physical limits.
The pavilion’s inherent architectural beauty has been carefully preserved and enhanced. Fine, dark green posts with stainless steel balls and salmon-colored wave grids, finished with elliptical arches, now enclose the sports area, echoing the historical balustrades and preventing nighttime vandalism. These elements harmoniously complement the oiled Oregon wood of the grandstand’s interior, the age-related green patina of the copper-covered oval roof, and the textured concrete of the acoustically shaped rear wall.
The pavilion’s new purpose is aptly reflected in its design. “Musculus,” meaning muscle in Latin, applies not only to the retained form but also to its renewed function. The shell is muscle, and muscle is shell.
Access to the changing rooms is gained through two pergola-like exits, their steel structures extending like welcoming feelers. These elements, hot-dip galvanized for a natural, weathered look, contrast with the weather-protected, powder-coated grids and supports. The almost technoid sobriety of the exterior, with its precisely installed round lights, gives way to a surprising sense of brightness and spaciousness in the excavated basement.
Here, a salmon-colored, sculptural metal installation, meticulously hand-painted, houses WC and shower cabins, adding a distinct spatial layer to the shell-shaped floor plan. The sea-green flooring of the cabins, referencing the oxidized copper roof, creates a visual link to the building’s original era.
Slender supporting columns form the centerpiece of the changing rooms, around which wide arch doors pivot, illuminated by specially designed, 3D-printed lights inspired by an old model. The tall, cuff-like door hinges, slipped over the structural elements before installation, challenge conventional architectural hierarchies.
Generous mirror surfaces above the cabins visually expand the space, hinting at the true size of the divided room. Fine lime plaster and vertical wall panels adorn the ceiling and walls, while lockers, encased in prefabricated steel frames, hug the outer wall, their white color blending seamlessly with the surrounding surfaces.
The restoration of Sihlhölzli is an example of the enduring appeal of Hermann Herter’s architectural forms and Robert Maillart’s engineering prowess. Camponovo Baumgartner have masterfully adapted this historical landmark for contemporary use, creating a space where “muscles play” and a delicate heritage is preserved for generations to come.