V-Zug Semiramis, Zug
«Semiramis» is a 22.5 meter high, planted architectural sculpture that stands in the new innovation quarter - the Tech Cluster of Zug.
The project
«Semiramis» is a highly complex affair, and not just in terms of assembly and production. The five plant bowls are all shaped differently and have a diameter of up to 10 meters. The slender and tall structure is lushly planted with large bushes and trees and thus has a considerable weight of its own. The supporting structure of the shell is made of cross laminated timber (CLT). It is bonded using a two-component PU system from TS3. Timbatec developed this process in several research projects with ETH Zurich and Bern University of Applied Sciences. Today, it is mainly used for the construction of floor slabs, but also enables structures such as «Semiramis».
The construction method
The individual cross laminated timber panels are joined using a TS3 joint. The end faces are treated with primer beforehand. After the panels have been brought into the correct position by robots, the TS3 casting resin is applied. The cross laminated timber panels can then be joined together at the end faces by grouting the joints without applying pressure.
The challenge
Bracing the construction with the eight slender columns was a challenge. The wind pressures on the shells were calculated using a fluid mechanical RWIND simulation from Dlubal Software, which simulates the flow around the structure in a wind tunnel. In addition, resonance effects along and across the wind direction had to be taken into account in the calculations due to the slender construction.
Project information
- - Height 22.5 m
- - Cross laminated timber approx. 35 m3
- - Steel 18 t
Design stages
- - SIA Phases 21 - 52
Design services
- - Structural Engineering and Analysis
- - Construction
Client
ERNE AG Holzbau5080 Laufenburg
Architecture
Gramazio Kohler Research8093 Zürich
Building owner
Urban Assets Zug AG6302 Zug
Timber construction
ERNE AG Holzbau5080 Laufenburg
General contractor
ERNE AG Holzbau5080 Laufenburg
Press coverage
Historical model meets technical innovation
Holzbau austria, Issue No. 04/2022 –The landmark of the new Tech Cluster in Zug is as good as completed. Named after the legendary «Hanging Gardens of Babylon» - or «Semiramis» - five geometrically complex wooden shells rise up to 22.5 m high above the site. The sculpture was produced with the aid of state-of-the-art design and manufacturing processes and will subsequently be planted in accordance with the historical model.
Unique and sophisticated
MODULØR, Issue No. 6/2022 – The centerpiece of the emerging tech cluster in Zug is a 22.5-meter-high wooden architectural structure whose name - Semiramis - is inspired by hanging gardens and exclusive interaction with nature.
Witness of the building culture
Immobilien Innovation, Issue No. 10/2022 – A very special high-rise has been built on the Tech Cluster site in Zug: The Semiramis plant tower was designed with the help of a machine learning algorithm and realized with an innovative timber construction technology.
From chip to structural timber
Holzbauer spezial, Issue No. 2/2022 – Within a research project, scientists and engineers are looking for new ways to develop structural timber and cross laminated timber for large volumes from by-products.
Staggered
Wir Holzbauer, Issue No. 6/2022 – Artificial intelligence and four robots were the master builders of the 22.5-meter-high structure that has marked the entrance to the Tech Cluster Zug site since July 6. The planted architectural sculpture consists of five geometrically complex wooden shells supported by eight slender steel columns. (Report in german)
Stacked trees
Hochparterre, Issue No. 9/2022 – A 25-meter-high tree sculpture has stood on the Tech Cluster in Zug since the beginning of July. It bears the name of Queen Semiramis, who is said to have created the ancient world wonder of the hanging gardens. (Report in German)
Semiramis – the hanging gardens of Zug
Semiramis News by TCZ, 1/2022 – A very special work of art is being built on the corner of Ahornstrasse and Industriestrasse in Zug. In reference to the famous hanging gardens in ancient Babylon, the elegant construction is called Semiramis. In five freely shaped and ingeniously arranged wooden bowls, grasses, flowers, perennials, shrubs and even trees will grow. The artwork of high-tech and nature will mark the center of the new Tech Cluster quarter. (Report in German)
Choose wood and become agile
Holzbauer spezial, Issue No. 1.2022 – It is time for wood to highlight its rationally assessable facts: Wood can replace concrete, brick and steel and shows good fire behavior. In addition, wood also offers endless architectural possibilities: with a wood look or any facade cladding. However, the change of material in the construction upends the usual building processes. (Report in German)
Robots are building new hanging gardens
Baublatt, Issue No. 2/2022 – Computer models open up new design possibilities with often surprising geometries. With the help of artificial intelligence and cooperating robots, the components for a planted architectural sculpture are created in ETH Zurich's manufacturing laboratory. (Report in German)
Semiramis Robotics Project: Hanging Gardens for Zug
Wir Holzbauer, Issue 1.2022 – The hanging gardens of Semiramis of Babylon are known as wonders of the world. The new hanging gardens on the grounds of the Tech Cluster Zug should at least attract attention throughout Switzerland. At the end of November, the "Semiramis" robotics project was presented at ETH Zurich. (Report in German)
ETH develops a plant tower with artificial intelligence
Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Issue 24.11.2021 – Among the seven wonders of the ancient world are the Hanging Gardens of the Babylonian queen Semiramis. "Semiramis" is the name of a 22.5-meter-high architectural sculpture with 100 native plant species. Researchers from the group of ETH architecture professors Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Kohler developed the plant tower using a machine learning algorithm. (Report in German)
