The former Predigerkirche («Preacher’s Church») and its accompanying chancel («Chor») are among the characteristic structures of the City of Zurich. New functional and technical requirements, as well as heightened demands led the Zentralbibliothek Zürich to carry out a conversion of the Predigerchor spaces. The access situation was fundamentally reorganised during the renovation and enhanced by an inviting entrée. Now, visitors use a prestigious exterior staircase in the library courtyard to enter the foyer with its reception area.

A renovated staircase, which was freed from clustering installations, and a barrier-free elevator allow employees and the public to access all floors including the music department. The design of the interior space and the exhibition concept of the «Treasure Chamber» were newly conceived. All exhibits are illuminated and highlighted in modular show cabinets and niches in the wall.

The conversion work involved extensive excavation work beneath the archaeologically important existing structures, as well as measures to the preservation-listed building structure. The work was carried out in close coordination with the relevant authority. In addition to preserving as much as possible of the building’s material structure, great attention was also paid to the structural context in which additional new structures were erected.