End of January 2012, the new owner of “Franziskushaus” in Dulliken near Olten, Otto Wipfli and Ruedi Nützi, Director of the School of Business, signed an agreement to use the former training centre of the Capuchin as a residence hall for international exchange students.

In the future, the School of Business will offer its international students, aside from the existing rooms in the Staff house of the Canton Hospital in Olten, additional 81 single rooms situated in an idyllic, suburban recreational area with close access to public transport, high construction standards and an affordable rent of CHF 400.

Aerial view of the future residence hall for international students of the School of Business FHNW in Dulliken near Olten

Architect was Le Corbusier Student

The existing educational facility was completed in 1968 in Dulliken as a retreat for the Capuchin’s Order. The architect Otto Glaus was a student of Le Corbusier and he was well-known throughout Switzerland in the 50’s and 60’s for his virtuous sculptural handling of concrete. The Office of Preservation of Monuments of Canton Solothurn recognized Franziskushaus as one of the three most important religious buildings of the last century in the Canton Solothurn.

The former owners, the Capuchins, the municipality of Dulliken and the canton of Solothurn, welcomed the project and cleared the process of regulatory approval extremely quickly. The same courtesy was extended to the recent negotiation of the cooperation agreement with the  School of Business FHNW.

Foreign Delegations Remain in Hotels

The location is also very suitable for lectures, for example as part of short-term programs. Foreign delegations of government officials and executives however, will continue to be accommodated in hotels in the city of Olten.

Opening in June 2012

The opening of the campus residence hall at Junkerbrunnenweg 25 in Dulliken is planned to take place in June 2012. The public will have an opportunity to come and see the new location first-hand at an open day. Until then, the building will be renovated and adapted to the safety-related requirements of a contemporary accommodation establishment.

Contact

Rolf Lauber, Head of Infrastructure, Campus Olten
T +41 62 286 01 80 (direct), rolf.lauber@fhnw.ch