Basel University Library

The elegant concrete dome of the reading room reflects the quintessentially Swiss knack for combining pragmatic and functional solutions with high aesthetic standards: the dome shape resulted from acoustic requirements and the needs of the students. The "Swiss finish" is also evident in the sculptural staircase, where beton brut aesthetics are juxtaposed with marble accents and elm verneer. Although a typical product of its time, the four-storey cubic extension by Hans Otto Senn from 1968 exudes a timeless modernity. In 2021, it received a gentle facelift and fresh design accents: various reading corners, lounges and individually usable workstations distributed throughout the building offer a contemporary and relaxed reading and learning experience. By the way: the best view of the 60s icon is enjoyed from the Botanical Garden directly behind it, from where the domed structure of the reading room towers skywards like a giant concrete cactus.

For more information about Brutalist buildings in Basel, visit heartbrut.com