Jarek Karpik worked on the New Max project in Zurich while employed at Sauerbruch Hutton. This project drew inspiration from the artistic work of Max Bill, a Swiss artist and architect. The building was designed for the client HIAG – Hagenholz Immobilien AG and spans a gross floor area of 17,090 square meters.

The primary purpose of the building was to provide office and meeting spaces, with additional facilities on the ground floor including a restaurant, retail space, and child care facilities. The building’s design revolves around two main cores that house utility spaces, staircases, and lifts, which connect all floors. One of the building’s most distinctive features is its central atrium, which serves as the building’s hub, connecting various floors and departments and promoting a sense of community and collaboration among the building’s occupants. One of the primary design goals was to allow the plan for flexible office space arrangements.

The building’s façade consists of a dynamic mix of materials, including metal and glass, which reflect and refract surrounding light in fascinating ways. Its triangulated shape, combined with multicoloured glass, creates an ever-changing and moving appearance depending on the viewing angle, position, and distance. The use of natural light is a prominent feature, with large windows creating a sense of openness and warmth in the space. The façade was developed as a multilayered wall construction, allowing for a concealed mechanical ventilation system. Its dimensions and order provide flexibility in the arrangement of office spaces.

Images courtesy of Sauerbruch Hutton. Copyright Sauerbruch Hutton.