The Swiss municipality of Birsfelden is continuing its ambitious vertical development with a new high-rise proposal that will transform the community into a skyscraper city. The town has presented plans for the Prisma district development, featuring an 86-meter residential tower designed by renowned architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron. The tower will be built on the current Coop supermarket site between Hauptstrasse and the Birs River, directly adjacent to an already approved 100-meter wooden tower by Christ & Gantenbein.
Mayor Christof Hiltmann unveiled the Prisma district plans last Thursday, showcasing the striking 86-meter tower that will sit atop three base structures. These include a new residential facility and the namesake Prisma structure, which will mark the entrance to the new underground Coop store. The tower appears to balance precariously on these supporting structures, representing what architects describe as a static engineering masterpiece, though one that may not align with efficient load distribution principles typically associated with wooden construction.
The existing Coop branch will remain at the location but will be expanded and relocated to the underground level, creating space for public-oriented uses at street level. A small plaza with a circular fountain is planned directly on Hauptstrasse near the existing tram stop, providing a modest gathering space that will give the dense development some breathing room. Each floor of the tower will feature approximately 700 square meters of space, creating a substantial tower volume, though the facades in the architectural renderings appear somewhat smooth and generic.
Questions arise about the materials used in the tower's design, particularly for the underside of the structure that cantilevers over the plaza. The renderings show what appears to be a seamless surface that looks elegantly glossy but also quite generic. Combined with the high proportion of glass in the design, concerns emerge about summer heat protection, as large-scale glazing requires significant technical measures to ensure residential comfort during hot months.
The project will stand alongside the more advanced high-rise development by Christ & Gantenbein, which at 101 meters will actually tower over the new structure. Together, the two buildings will form a highly visible ensemble that will essentially define a new gateway to Birsfelden's center while providing stronger urban framing for Hauptstrasse. This dual-tower development represents a significant architectural statement for the municipality.
The Prisma project promises generous green spaces and recreational areas along the Birs riverfront. The integration of the Haus Birsstegweg residential facility, an organization that provides housing for chronically ill and physically disabled individuals, will make it possible to open the riverbank as a natural park accessible to the public. However, this development comes with a cultural loss: the existing residential facility with its distinctive red wooden facade will disappear, removing a visible splash of color and an identity-defining element along the waterfront.
The new tower is planned to house between 160 and 180 apartments across various price segments, along with 128 underground parking spaces and a total of 400 bicycle parking spaces, representing remarkable density for the area. The project's current architectural language remains somewhat difficult to grasp, with the Tetris-like corner articulation of the surrounding balconies creating a sense of interchangeability. This raises questions about whether a location like Birsfelden, characterized by its river, main street, and industrial heritage, deserved a more specific, locally-rooted architectural response.
The public can provide input on the Prisma district plan through the participation process until the end of January 2026. The municipal assembly is scheduled to vote on the project in summer 2026, with investors planning a construction timeline of three to five years. With these two new towers, Birsfelden is undoubtedly making a strong statement about its urban future, though whether these projects will contribute to long-term identity, urban value, and quality of life remains an open question.
