Biene

Small intervention, big outcome. Renovation and replacement of 48 balconies of residential buildings from the 60’s in Oberwil

The residential development from the 1960s is located on a slight slope along the main road between Basel and the village center of Oberwil. The four identical buildings are positioned in a southeast orientation, following the terrain, and nestled into the park-like grounds. The property is accessed via the neighborhood streets Bienenstrasse and Fürstenrein. The centrally located piazza with a playground serves as the focal point of the settlement's open space design.

The buildings are constructed using solid construction methods and feature balconies on three corners of each building. The floor slabs and balcony parapets were cast in-situ with reinforced concrete. Insufficient concrete coverage on the parapets has led to corrosion of the reinforcement bars, resulting in spalling of the concrete in several areas.

The renovation plan involves separating the existing concrete parapets from the floor slabs and replacing them with a clad metal structure. Additionally, the balconies will be sealed with a skim coat and equipped with gutters and downspouts.

To enhance the visibility of the recessed ground-floor entrances, these will be fitted with coated corrugated metal profiles.