EMPA

EMPA is a branch of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and is an interdisciplinary research centre for material science and technology development. This particular branch in St Gallen opened in 1996, employs around 200 staff and is one of three locations around Switzerland - the others being in Duebendorf and Thun. The project is divided into two distinct components; an administrative tower located on the west side of Lerchenfeldstrasse, with laboratories, workshops and write-up spaces on the other side of the road, linked together via a bridge. Incubator units are also provided within the development for smaller companies, who can rent space within the building and take advantage of the specialised facilities on offer and the close ties with higher education.