Hungarian architecture and design studio HELLO WOOD has completed a major new project in the heart of Zurich, turning a former railway site into a three-storey, year-round destination for dining, entertainment and relaxation. Covering 2,500 square metres, Remise Rosa combines experimental timber architecture with a permanent community space – and took just five months to build.
The project marks an important milestone for HELLO WOOD, whose work has grown from architectural summer schools and temporary installations into permanent, large-scale developments. Created in collaboration with Swiss client Miteinander AG, Remise Rosa brings together a restaurant, beer garden, terraces, entertainment areas and spaces for relaxation in one complex.
Designed to operate throughout all four seasons, the development combines indoor and outdoor areas, offering visitors a place to meet and spend time in the city regardless of the weather.
From temporary installations to permanent architecture
Remise Rosa builds on the experimental design approach that has defined HELLO WOOD‘s work for years. The studio has become known for its educational architecture camps and creative pop-up structures, and the Zurich project translates this playful visual language into a permanent, high-quality setting.
According to lead architect Balázs Szelecsényi, the aim was to create a place where visitors feel special and can rediscover their inner child. He said the project demonstrates how ambitious architecture can strengthen communities while also supporting a successful business.
The result is intended to be more than just a restaurant or beer garden: its different functions and spaces are designed to come together as a lively urban meeting point.
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How the timber structure was built in just five months
Although the complex has a playful appearance, its construction relied on advanced technology and precise planning.
The main structure uses cross-laminated timber (CLT), a material made from layers of wood bonded together. HELLO WOOD selected it for its durability, renewable origins and sustainability credentials.
The building elements were manufactured in advance using computer-controlled CNC technology, which allowed each component to be produced with millimetre precision before being transported to the site. This prefabrication approach helped the team complete construction in just five months.
It also made the assembly process faster and quieter, reducing disruption to the surrounding neighbourhood in Zurich.
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HELLO WOOD’s growing presence in Switzerland
Zurich has been an important market for HELLO WOOD since 2016. The studio has previously worked on projects including Urban Surf, June & Julie and Fraulein Holle, and sees Remise Rosa as another significant step in its Swiss journey.
The project was delivered through HELLO WOOD’s integrated Design & Build model, meaning the studio managed the process from the initial architectural concepts through to construction on site. According to the company, this approach helped keep the development on budget and on schedule while meeting the client’s operational and design requirements.
HELLO WOOD CEO András Huszár said Switzerland had been a key market for the studio for years, adding that Remise Rosa represents the culmination of its work there and demonstrates what can be achieved when timber architecture meets an ambitious business concept.
With its combination of dining, outdoor spaces and distinctive timber design, the completed development gives Zurich a new year-round meeting place – and offers a striking example of Hungarian architectural expertise making its mark abroad.
