Mathias Geschwandl has been with Implenia for a year and is thrilled. Why? IMPACT briefly asked the 37-year-old foundation engineering foreman on the "Lavater school complex renovation with new double sports hall" construction site in Zurich.
Hello Mathias! You seem to be in a good mood at work. How come?
Mathias Geschwandl: Look at this complex and exciting construction site! I like being here as much as a kid in a big sandbox!
Renovation of the Lavater school complex
The 120-year-old Lavater school complex in the Enge district, a listed building, is to be comprehensively renovated, its energy efficiency optimized and made barrier-free. The single gymnasium, which is worthy of protection, is to be extended and converted into a catering building for schoolchildren. The construction of a new underground double sports hall is planned for school and club sports.
The setting of the many spiles to support the excavation pit was also extreme in order to be able to build the gymnasium underground. And now, of course, it's not easy for our crane operator to set down loads at foundation level, between all the grouting. The diaphragm walls were also a challenge. And of course the preservation order for the existing buildings.
But I'm not alone here: besides me, there are two other foremen on this site, Mensur Malkoc from the master builder, and Alex Souza, from the foundation engineering department like me. We, the foremen, the foremen and the project managers, together with the construction workers, are a really good team.
Is there anything else you like about your job?
I am a trained bricklayer. Then I did the road construction foreman. And became a road construction and civil engineering foreman. I got into foundation engineering by a lucky coincidence, because there was a staff shortage at my old company due to vacation absences. Now, in addition to the great, big projects at Implenia, I particularly appreciate the fact that I can travel all over Switzerland. Always to wherever the next project is. And in the evening I go home to Rotkreuz ZG.
Thank you, Mathias, for this insight. We wish you and yours an accident-free, successful construction period in what is currently still a very large sandbox!
