^{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. The architects work with varying degrees of refinement — predominantly raw, occasionally precise or vividly coloured — generating a dynamic spatial atmosphere throughout the interiors.

Architectural Context
EM2N’s affinity for textile elements is already visible in the façade design. The sculptural building volume is wrapped in a wavy metal mesh resembling a transparent curtain, visually reducing the building to its clear geometric form while introducing movement and lightness.

Textile Concept
Annette Douglas convinced the competition jury with her textile concept and was commissioned with the conception, development, planning, budgeting and supervision of production. More than 350 rooms were equipped with curtains, requiring over 20,000 m² of textile production.
All curtains meet demanding functional requirements, including sound absorption, sound insulation and fire safety standards.

Textile Design – «Mono-Toni» & «Multi-Toni»
For the campus’ 230 music practice rooms, classrooms and lecture halls, the acoustic curtain systems “Mono-Toni” and “Multi-Toni” were specially developed. The dense, coloured textiles combine acoustic performance with expressive spatial design. Inspired by musical principles such as beat and rhythm, as well as the dynamics of forte and piano, the fabrics translate musical structure into architectural space:

• “Multi-Toni” – multicolour striped compositions creating rhythmic spatial effects
• “Mono-Toni” – single-colour version based on the same construction

By combining both textiles, each room develops its own rhythmic identity.

Architectural Impact
The project demonstrates how textile design can support adaptive reuse architecture by connecting acoustics, colour and spatial rhythm, transforming an industrial structure into a vibrant educational environment.