Renowned architect Santiago Calatrava has completed a striking eight-story office building called Haus zum Falken beside Zurich's Stadelhofen Station. The stone and glass structure sits on a narrow triangular plot at the eastern end of the railway station, which Calatrava himself previously renovated and expanded in 1990. The building features a sophisticated multi-level bicycle parking facility that can accommodate 800 bikes underground.
The architect designed the office building with what he describes as a "meandering composition," combining steel and stone construction with glass panels that emphasize the dramatic folds in the facade. "The area around the Haus zum Falken is very familiar to me, as I was involved in the construction of the Stadelhofen Station here for eight years," Calatrava explained. He emphasized that "architecture here is more than functional – it is an artistic event in the city."
The building's design showcases Calatrava's signature architectural style through its innovative use of materials and sculptural elements. A solid stone base anchors the structure, from which the glass facade rises in an elegant arched form. The entrance, flanked by a public square, is sheltered by the upper floors and features a glazed front framed by soft-edged stone pillars. According to Calatrava, "subtle stone details extend toward the lower edges of the glass facade, establishing a dialogue between the grounded plinth and the glass body above."
Inside, the building opens to a dramatic double-height lobby adorned with wooden relief work and expansive ceiling lighting that creates an impressive first impression for visitors. Elevators provide access to four floors of office space above, while a sculptural staircase at the building's opposite entrance serves as both a functional element and artistic centerpiece. This end of the building features a skylit, four-story atrium where the sculptural stairwell acts as what Calatrava calls a "dynamic centerpiece that connects all levels."
Each of the upper levels offers completely column-free office spaces that maximize flexibility and are illuminated by natural light streaming through openings across the glazed facade. The building's innovative design extends below ground with a three-story public bicycle parking facility accessed via a ground-level ramp, reflecting Zurich's commitment to sustainable transportation options.
The Haus zum Falken incorporates several environmentally conscious features, including a green roof equipped with photovoltaic panels for renewable energy generation. The facade's acoustic properties are engineered to render exterior noise pollution "virtually imperceptible" on the interior, according to Calatrava's studio, ensuring a peaceful working environment despite the building's proximity to the busy railway station.
This latest completion adds to Calatrava's growing portfolio of transportation-related architectural projects. Recently, his steel and glass Gare de Mons station, designed as a "monumental bridge," reached completion in Belgium. The project demonstrates Calatrava's continued expertise in creating architectural landmarks that serve both functional and aesthetic purposes while integrating seamlessly with existing transportation infrastructure.
