Breaking ground: The future of the AO's Science Circle in Davos

Today, the sun shone down on the building site where the AO’s Science Circle will rise over the next two years in Davos, Switzerland. Representatives gathered from the AO’s leadership, Gemeinde Davos, and architecture firm Architektur 41; they put on hard hats, and, with shovels in hand, they took the first ceremonial scoops of earth to break ground on this significant building project.

Science Circle will be the beating heart of the AO’s research and innovation in the future. AO President Tim Pohlemann took part in the event and remarked: “Breaking ground today marks an important step for the AO, Davos, and the Canton of Graubünden, as it sets in motion our organization’s continued evolution. By concentrating the AO in Davos, we are extending our commitment to the region and the city while modernizing our research capacity for the future.”

Vice Director of the AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) Martin Stoddart underscored the significance of this project for ARI: “The new Science Circle brings the AO state-of-the-art laboratory facilities capable of performing cutting-edge research, both today and into the future.” Pohlemann noted that Science Circle “is a new space for free, independent thinking and engagement, and that’s what we want to provide—a protected space for new thoughts and ideas, which is more important now than ever.”

Science Circle: Embedded within the AO Campus project 

The Science Circle construction involves substantial resources: 260 pillars totaling 6,800 meters, 3,400 cubic meters of concrete, 380 tons of steel, 625 cubic meters of construction timber, and 3,200 square meters of waterproofing membrane.

The final building height is expected to be achieved in the fall of 2026, and the building will be inaugurated in the summer of 2027. The ring-shaped Science Circle will be the beating heart of the AO’s research and innovation in the future. In addition to state-of-the-art laboratories, the new building will house offices for researchers and a spacious auditorium. The Science Circle is an integral part of the AO Campus project, which aims to offer modern, sustainable, and flexible workplace and research facilities for all of the AO’s employees.

Once the Science Circle is completed, the existing AO Center will undergo a thorough renovation, which is expected to take about one year. The renovation will not be visible from the outside, but the transformation on the inside will include flexible workplaces, a spacious cafeteria, areas for exchange and collaboration, and dedicated rooms to decompress and relax. The reopening of the AO Center is scheduled for summer 2028.

The AO is committed to addressing environmental concerns during all phases of the AO Campus development. Measures are being implemented to ensure the project is conducted sustainably, minimizing the ecological footprint and promoting environmental stewardship. Since the AO’s headquarters are located on a former waste disposal site, the Science Circle construction site excavation will involve recycling 3,800m³ of household garbage from the 1970s, of which approximately 2,000m³ is contaminated special waste. Additionally, 1,600m³ of wooden waste will have to be recycled.

Sustainability will also be crucial during the construction and renovation phases. The Science Circle will be built with local wood. Solar panels along its facade and a geothermal probe heat pump will ensure sustainable energy and heat generation. Furthermore, the AO is committed to working with local and regional suppliers and companies wherever possible.