Conversion of silo Erlenmatt Basel
March 13, 2020
Extensive renovation of the Erlenmatt silo in Basel
The renovation of the old silo building in the Erlenmatt district presented a variety of challenges. The building, which previously served as a warehouse for grain and cocoa, was converted and will be used for catering and commercial purposes once it opens in summer 2020. ERNE's wide range of services in the area of conversion/renovation were required for the work. The gutting division was used to remove the inventory and a suction excavator was used to extract the excavated material. To bring light into the future rooms, the drilling and cutting team created circular window openings in the walls of the silo. Special formwork was produced for the aesthetic exposed concrete stairwells in collaboration with ERNE AG Holzbau.
Demolition work, excavation and stabilization in the basement
We started by demolishing the floor slab in the basement. Due to the low ceiling height, the foundation excavation for lowering the floor slab could only be carried out with small excavators. The ERNEFANT suction excavator was used as the confined space required the excavated material to be removed quickly. Micropiles were then used to stabilize the ground. The new floor slab made of in-situ concrete with integrated ventilation duct was then installed.
Drilling and cutting brings light into the building
20 large, circular openings with a diameter of 260 cm were cut out of the concrete of the historic silo building. The ERNE drilling/cutting team used a special wire saw for this. The cutting work was particularly challenging in strong winds. No concrete mist was allowed to get onto the adjacent highway, so appropriate precautions had to be taken. As no further processing of the cut edges was planned - in order to preserve the industrial character of the building - the work had to be carried out with particular precision. The new openings were later closed with round, prefabricated window elements. These now bring light into the redesigned building and create a beautiful ambience.
For the entrances inside the building to the future rooms, door openings had to be cut into the existing funnel walls using a wall cutter. The challenge here was also the cut edges, as the new door openings remain visible and are not concealed by frames.
During the conversion, the old storage silos were harmoniously integrated
To reinforce and visually enhance the existing exterior façade, aerated concrete masonry with pillars and pilaster strips in various wall thicknesses was added to the interior. Exposed concrete ceilings were built on the upper floor and most of the funnel holes in the former coffee and grain silos were filled with insulating fill and sealed with concrete to create additional space for later use. Some of the hoppers remain open and visible, so that it will still be possible to take a look inside the former storage facilities after the conversion. The upper floor and attic were also fitted with acoustic brickwork to create a pleasant atmosphere. ERNE decon with the "Surface" service was used for all concrete connection surfaces inside the building, where existing components were connected to new ones. The concrete surfaces were roughened and the reinforcement exposed for the subsequent work.
New exposed concrete stairs required a well-planned construction process
In order for the staircases to fit into the new concept, the existing stairs on one side and the existing concrete walkways and funnel openings on the other side were completely demolished at the beginning. Precise cuts with a diamond saw into the flanking exterior walls and concrete ceilings, carried out by the ERNE drilling and cutting team, made it possible to carry out the demolition work with a robot. Elaborate formwork elements were required for the new construction of the exposed concrete stairs. These were manufactured in stone by ERNE AG Holzbau, partly using the portal robot. The use of ready-made special formwork made it possible to work more quickly on the construction site. Forming and concreting within the existing structures still presented sufficient challenges due to the limited space available.
Cooperation brings good solutions for the construction work
During the conversion of the historic Erlenmatt Ost silo, the various ERNE departments worked together harmoniously. This facilitated innovative and creative solutions on site and smooth communication. The interior work was completed in spring 2020. The building for the new socio-cultural use - for hotels, restaurants and businesses - opened in summer 2020.
Further information on the Silo Design & Boutique Hostel:
Silo Basel
Facts about the construction site
Object | Conversion/renovation of silo Erlenmatt Basel |
Services | Conversion, refurbishment, gutting, excavation, drilling/cutting, HDW high-pressure water jetting, suction excavator service, suction of excavated material |
Construction time | April 2018 - spring 2020 |
