A vision for the building industry in the new millennium

The Eyecatcher - the tallest ever residential/office building with a load-bearing GRP construction was the landmark of the Swissbau 99. After the exhibition, the construction was disassembled and rebuilt at its final location at Münchensteinerstrasse 210, Basel, where it is now serving as an office building.

• Height: 15 metres
• Storeys: 5
• Ground Area: 10x12 metres

GRP load-bearing Structure
The load-bearing members of the Eyecatcher are made exclusively of Fiberline GRP profiles (polymer-based composites). Three similar triangular frames, of which two form the sides of the building, constitute the structural foundation.

Integrated Facade
As Fiberline GRP structural profiles offer good thermal properties and form no cold or warm bridges, it has been possible to integrate the facade in the load-bearing structure of the building which is thus visible both in- and outside.

Design, Calculation and Project Planning
Based on the Fiberline Design Manual, one of the most comprehensive manuals for structural calculations of pultruded GRP profiles, calculations were carried out by ETH in Zürich and Lausanne.

Tests
Full-scale tests on adhesive joints and beams were carried out by ETH, Zürich. The Eyecatcher is open to the public on agreement.