^{Project Type: Public administration building/city police facility
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Architecture: Penzel Valier Architects
Acoustic Planning: Gartenmann Engineering
Application: Acoustic textiles and privacy curtains
Product: STREAMER pro special
Photography: © Bruno Augsburger}

Project Overview
The new building for the Zurich City Police (Criminal Department), developed by Penzel Valier Architects, is located in a former industrial area directly opposite the Toni-Areal, home to the Zurich University of the Arts. Despite its security-related function, the building presents itself as an elegant and carefully detailed architectural structure. The design integrates seamlessly into its urban surroundings while achieving an unexpected level of openness and transparency for a police facility that includes detention areas. A central atrium connects all floors and forms the architectural core of the building.

Acoustic Challenge
The building required solutions that simultaneously addressed acoustic comfort, visual openness and strict privacy requirements. Sensitive working environments demanded discretion without compromising daylight access or architectural clarity.

Acoustic Solution
Annette Douglas Textiles developed a customised textile solution specifically for this project. The STREAMER pro special acoustic textiles allow natural daylight to flood the interior while preventing visual recognition, ensuring privacy and discretion. The fabrics enhance acoustic comfort while harmonising with the concrete interior through carefully coordinated colour and texture. Installed across multiple floors and rooms, the textiles integrate seamlessly into the architectural grid. In the attic level, the curtains wrap softly around the concrete columns, emphasising the spatial rhythm and architectural composition.

Application

• customised acoustic textile STREAMER pro special
• combines sound absorption with visual privacy
• allows daylight penetration while preventing visibility
• flame-retardant according to international safety standards
• installed across multiple floors and functional spaces
• integrated into atrium and office environments
• textile elements aligned with architectural grid and material concept

Architectural Impact
The project demonstrates how textile acoustic solutions can balance transparency, discretion and acoustic performance within a highly sensitive institutional environment, supporting both functional requirements and architectural expression.

Textile acoustic solutions by Annette Douglas Textiles enhance room acoustics, meet flame-retardant safety standards, and preserve architectural transparency and design intent.