First-ever demolition of a Swiss high-rise complete
The former Rockwell Automation office building was knocked down in the town of Aarau early Friday using a series of controlled explosions. The 45-metre-high tower, built in 1966, will be replaced by new business and apartment buildings.
It was the first high-rise ever to be demolished in Switzerland. The demolition expert behind the operation said it went off without a hitch, with the explosives going off as planned and the 5,000 tons of concrete and steel building elements collapsing where they should have.
After the dust cleared, the only damage was to a nearby showroom window that was immediately replaced. The demolition zone is in a residential and business area between Aarau’s railway station and the cantonal hospital.
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