Steel spiral staircases with all-glass railings | F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG

The pharmaceutical company F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd is building the currently tallest building in Switzerland at its headquarters in Basel with its new office tower. As a twin tower next to the existing Building 1, the slender Building 2 with a height of 205 meters offers space for around 3,500 employees and is expected to open in mid-2022. The sketch by architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron was designed with general planning company Drees & Sommer as a sustainable and energy-efficient building in a staggered construction method, which also houses a café and bistro in addition to several outdoor terraces. As a central eye-catcher, the steel spiral staircases and all-glass railings characterize the stylish interior design of the office tower. Only sustainable building materials and processing methods were used for all constructions.

A total of 16 steel spiral staircases with glass balustrades extend over 45 storeys and, in combination with the curved all-glass gallery balustrades, form an impressive ensemble of steel and glass. Despite the immense amount of steel used, the complex has a dynamic and light character. The technically sophisticated transitions to the ceiling balustrades also appear almost graceful. The highly complex steel staircase constructions differ in their storey height, flight width, number of risers and stair pitch. The all-glass railings on both sides of the balustrade and the structurally supporting steel soffit lining of the spiral staircases give the overall structure a homogeneous appearance.