Glass & IGUs
Energy-efficient glazing edge for heritage windows
Lavater school complex in Zurich combines energy-efficient refurbishment, architectural heritage and new usage concepts
Through the refurbishment and extension of the Lavater school complex, an important testimony to Zurich’ s school architecture has been preserved and updated for future generations. The building ensemble from 1896 / 97, designed by city architect Gustav Gull in the style of the Swiss National Museum in Zurich, is an excellent example of the sensitive interplay between historic fabric and modern technology. Particular attention was paid to the refurbishment of the historic windows, which were carefully restored in line with heritage requirements by Holzmanufaktur SWISS AG, partner company of Holzmanufaktur Rottweil, specialists in historic timber window restoration – now featuring modern insulating glazing and the high-performance warm edge spacer bar Swisspacer Ultimate in the glazing edge.
The heritage-listed Lavater school complex in Zurich is a historical witness to the change in school building design at the end of the 19th century. In close consultation with the city’ s monument preservation authorities, the building complex underwent a careful transformation into a modern all-day school and was structurally and energetically refurbished.
Architectural concept – between history and the future
In addition to improving the energy efficiency of the building envelope, the renovation concept by the Zurich-based architecture office neff neumann architekten pursued the functional and design-oriented further development of the complex. The school was designed for contemporary day school operations with twelve secondary classes. The former single sports hall was transformed into the“ Forum Lavater”
56 FEBRUARY 2026 CLEARVIEW-UK. COM