Modern workspaces behind harmoniously designed façades

Built in 1853 in the Neo-Renaissance style, Zwickau District Court looks back on an eventful history and has served various purposes. Originally used as a courthouse, it was converted into the municipal administrative headquarters and temporarily housed the registry office and the tax office. It is due to be extended by the end of 2027 with an annexe designed to complement the historic building’s style. In addition, the inner courtyard will be transformed into an atrium featuring two spacious courtrooms. The historic building will also undergo a complete modernisation, including the installation of lifts, new stairwells and modern building services.

Ground improvement and underpinning using the jet grouting method

To ensure the structural integrity of the historic building fabric and improve the condition of the ground, the construction company SP Bau GmbH, Lengenfeld, commissioned the Berlin branch of PORR Spezialtiefbau Ost to carry out the challenging renovation and stabilisation work. The PORR team carried out ground improvement over an area of around 900 square metres using the jet grouting method to ensure that the floor slab for the extension could be securely founded. The foundations of the existing building were underpinned with a total of around 680 cubic metres of high-pressure grouting to prevent subsidence and settlement caused by the new construction. As the new building is situated in an area with groundwater, additional measures such as sheet piling and groundwater lowering were required on site.

Project Manager Holger Pissler summarises: “The impressive setting of this project gave us the opportunity to demonstrate our long-standing expertise and comprehensive know-how. Thanks to the low-noise and vibration-free jet grouting method, we were able to ensure that the valuable existing building remained undamaged during the works and that the client’s requirements were fully met.”