City of Zurich Construction History Archive

The Construction History Archive in Zürich is a central point of contact for documenting and researching the architectural development of the city. It is located in the historic Haus zum Rech and offers access, both online and on site, to a variety of materials covering the city's and architecture's history. Since its founding in 1877, the archive has assembled an extensive collection of photographs, plans and documentation on significant construction projects and urban developments. These collections are of great importance for researchers, students and interested citizens who want to learn more about the architectural changes in Zürich. The focus lies not only on historic architectural monuments but also on contemporary developments.

Visitors can view the collected materials in the reading room at Neumarkt 4. Here, specialist libraries are available that offer literature on urban and construction history, as well as press articles and documentation on specific construction projects. In order to use the archive optimally, it is recommended to register via a contact form.

A particularly valuable asset of the archive is the photographic collection, which documents from 1860 to the present and captures the development of architecture in Zürich. Interested parties can view this collection online via the e-pics portal of ETH Zürich. Alongside the research resources, there are also regularly changing exhibitions that shed light on various themes of architecture and urban history. These exhibitions take place in the Haus zum Rech and are a further point of access to the valuable information that the archive holds.

In addition, there are also special publications on topics such as heritage conservation and urban development that can deepen knowledge about Zürich's history. The archive is an excellent place for anyone interested in the history of Zürich, whether for academic reasons, out of personal interest or for professional purposes.