Former embroidery factory Iklé-Frères AG
The embroidery factory of the company Iklé-Frères AG was one of the most important companies of the former municipality of Straubenzell. It was here, too, that the first shuttle embroidery machines in Switzerland were used.
History:
From the 1880s, the company Iklé-Frères AG ran an embroidery factory on the site and installed the first shuttle embroidery site in Eastern Switzerland. In 1901, this factory was expanded through the addition of the building on Feldlistrasse 31 and in 1906, it was replaced by number 31a. The new buildings were designed by the architect Wendelin Heene. During the crisis of the embroidery industry, Iklé closed their production facilities. From the 1920s onwards, the building at No. 30 held, amongst other things, a mechanic’s workshop and a car repair workshop. Feldlistrasse 31a also saw various companies over time, for example Forma Vitrum, who produce glassware for medical and chemical purposes, who moved in in 1930.
Architecture:
The long, rectangular buildings form an ensemble: No. 31 with two stories, raised avant-corps in the middle and hipped roof; No. 31a with four stories and a flat roof. Both buildings are optically divided by vertical face brick lenses in red and have, in line with their original use, large windows. At the time, the 1906 construction was considered extremely modern.
Present-day use:
The buildings are used in many different ways today, housing architects’ offices, design and communication studios and more.
From the 1880s, the company Iklé-Frères AG ran an embroidery factory on the site and installed the first shuttle embroidery site in Eastern Switzerland. In 1901, this factory was expanded through the addition of the building on Feldlistrasse 31 and in 1906, it was replaced by number 31a. The new buildings were designed by the architect Wendelin Heene. During the crisis of the embroidery industry, Iklé closed their production facilities. From the 1920s onwards, the building at No. 30 held, amongst other things, a mechanic’s workshop and a car repair workshop. Feldlistrasse 31a also saw various companies over time, for example Forma Vitrum, who produce glassware for medical and chemical purposes, who moved in in 1930.
Architecture:
The long, rectangular buildings form an ensemble: No. 31 with two stories, raised avant-corps in the middle and hipped roof; No. 31a with four stories and a flat roof. Both buildings are optically divided by vertical face brick lenses in red and have, in line with their original use, large windows. At the time, the 1906 construction was considered extremely modern.
Present-day use:
The buildings are used in many different ways today, housing architects’ offices, design and communication studios and more.