The completion of Haus zum Falken, Santiago Calatrava’s angular office and retail addition to his 1990 expansion of Zurich’s Stadelhofen Station, has swiftly become the subject of intense discussion in the architectural community, dominating the latest Dezeen Debate. The project—a complex stone and glass building incorporating a massive, multi-level bicycle parking facility—has drawn overwhelming praise from readers for its technical execution and aesthetic refinement. While some critics of Calatrava’s broader body of work have historically raised concerns over cost and maintenance, the Zurich project is being hailed as a “superb example of architectural execution.” It successfully addresses a critical urban problem—bicycle congestion—while anchoring a complex urban junction with a clean, sculptural presence that pays homage to the site’s historical and topographical sensitivity.
The Urban Intervention: Closing an Architectural Gap
Haus zum Falken is situated on a narrow, triangular plot at the eastern edge of the Stadelhofen railway complex. Its strategic location was critical: it effectively closes an architectural gap beside the historic 19th-century station building, completing the frame of the bustling Stadelhofen Square. The site required a structure that could mediate the contrast between the dense urban square and the rising Hohenpromenade Hill, once a bastion of the old city fortifications.
The design is a masterclass in urban integration, linking multiple public realms. Calatrava, intimately familiar with the site from his earlier station redesign, ensured the new building complements the neoclassical landmark of the old station while creating new public access points. The recessed ground floor carves out Falkensteg Square, an open public area connected by the existing stair bridge that leads to the upper neighborhoods. On the eastern side, the building introduces a small forecourt lined with greenery, seamlessly integrating the structure into the surrounding cityscape and offering views toward the Grossmünster towers.
The complexity of the site, constrained by its urban density and proximity to the rail lines, necessitated a highly innovative structural solution. Calatrava’s design, employing a robust palette of stone, steel, and folded glass, manages to anchor this fractured corner of the city, completing the network of connected public spaces that stretch from Lake Zurich to the Opera House.
Form and Function: The Facade’s Folded Geometry
The exterior of Haus zum Falken immediately captures attention with its distinct, sculptural presentation, which readers repeatedly cited as “gorgeous” and “well executed.” The design features an undulating glass facade that runs across five levels, defined by a rhythmic verticality of profiles and glass panels. This folded geometry gives the building a dynamic, kinetic presence that shifts dramatically with the light and movement of the day, reflecting the bustle of the transport hub below.
The structure is anchored by a stone plinth that uses local materials to establish a dialogue with the traditional stone facades found along Zurich’s historic Bahnhofstrasse. Above this base, the material transitions to the angular glass and metal structure. Inside, the design is equally focused on light and openness. A four-story atrium and a sweeping sculptural staircase form the spatial heart of the building, drawing natural light deep into the column-free office spaces on the upper floors.
Calatrava himself described the building as “an artistic event in the city,” emphasizing that architecture in this context is “more than functional.” However, the functionality is not ignored; the dense rhythm of the exterior facade, while aesthetically rich, also serves a practical purpose, enhancing a sense of privacy for the tenants within while meeting rigorous thermal and acoustic performance standards. This balancing act between high art and practical performance is the specific quality that earned the project such high praise in the Dezeen community.
Addressing the Urban Crisis: A Subterranean Bicycle Hub
Perhaps the most ambitious and contextually critical component of the Haus zum Falken project lies beneath the surface: a multi-level, underground bicycle parking facility. This feature was a direct response to the City of Zurich’s initiative to reorganize bicycle traffic, addressing the notorious problem of Stadelhofen Square being perpetually overcrowded with open-air bike parking.
The vast underground facility provides capacity for over 800 bicycles, effectively clearing the main plaza and returning the public surface area to pedestrians and urban greenery. This intervention drastically improves the overall pedestrian experience at one of Switzerland’s busiest rail hubs, catering to the approximately 80,000 commuters who pass through the station daily.
Constructing this immense subterranean structure in a tight, urban site, particularly one with a high water table and sensitive proximity to the existing rail tunnels, posed major technical challenges. Calatrava’s team had to implement an intricate foundation system and a robust waterproofing strategy. The successful integration of this high-capacity transit solution underground showcases a commitment to improving multimodal mobility in a manner that uses architecture to solve complex civil engineering problems without sacrificing valuable public space above ground.
Calatrava’s Evolution and Critical Acclaim
The overwhelmingly positive reception of Haus zum Falken in the Dezeen Debate is significant, especially considering the historical controversies that have shadowed some of Calatrava’s public works, such as the widely criticized cost overruns and maintenance issues associated with projects like the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.
In contrast to his more overtly dramatic, bone-like structures often characterized by complex, moving parts, the Zurich addition demonstrates a refined restraint and a grounded engagement with the existing urban fabric. Readers noted that the building was “very well executed” and praised the “gorgeous” curtain wall, suggesting a successful synthesis of his signature sculptural vocabulary with a more pragmatic, Swiss-inflected approach to materials and detailing. The building meets rigorous environmental benchmarks, achieving LEED Gold certification and exceeding Minergie-P standards for thermal performance, addressing modern sustainability criteria.
This project reinforces Calatrava’s reputation for integrating transportation infrastructure with high design. By providing column-free, highly adaptable office space, a sophisticated facade, and a crucial public utility like the underground bicycle station, Haus zum Falken serves as a powerful example of an architect delivering a holistic, enduring solution that enhances the functionality and the artistic event of the city simultaneously.
