^{Project Type: University campus / textile concept
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Architecture: EM2N Architects, Zurich
Acoustic Planning: Applied Acoustics, Basel / Wichser Acoustics, Zurich
Client: Canton of Zurich Building Department}

Project Overview
EM2N Architects transformed the former Toni dairy from the 1970s into a university campus accommodating approximately 5,000 students, lecturers and staff. The industrial character of the building was consciously preserved: raw materials and a direct architectural expression create an open framework for learning, exchange and creative work.

Textile Concept
Annette Douglas convinced the competition jury with her comprehensive textile concept and was commissioned with the planning, development, budgeting and supervision of the production of all textiles throughout the building. The architects work with varying degrees of refinement — predominantly raw, yet selectively precise or colourfully accentuated. The textile concept follows this architectural approach. Particularly refined areas, referred to as “pearl rooms,” form spatial highlights within the campus, including the large concert hall.

Concert Hall – Acoustic Curtain
For the concert hall, Annette Douglas developed a highly effective acoustic curtain serving as a movable acoustic element and an integral part of the overall room acoustics concept.
The planners defined exceptionally demanding requirements:

• specified airflow resistance of the material
• precisely calibrated absorption coefficients across multiple frequency ranges (Hz)
• stringent fire safety requirements for a hall with large audience capacity
• limited storage conditions allowing only 30% additional fabric allowance or pleating

These parameters resulted in a highly complex development process.

Design
As a design response, Annette Douglas created a trompe-l’œil concept in which the folds or waves of the curtain are interpreted as embroidered lines. This creates visual movement and textile depth while fulfilling the strict functional requirements.

Architectural Impact
The project demonstrates how textile design can unite technical precision, acoustic performance and architectural expression, transforming a functional space into an atmospherically precise spatial experience.