“The last gasworks of its kind – Schlieren.” These words, spoken in a hushed, almost reverent tone, echoed in my mind as I stood before the Röhrenspeicher TABA Schlieren. Tucked away in the heart of Zurich, this industrial relic was a stark reminder of a bygone era.
The Röhrenspeicher TABA Schlieren was not just a collection of pipes and tanks; it was a testament to Switzerland’s industrial prowess. It was a vital cog in Zurich’s energy system, supplying the city with the essential gas it required to power its homes and factories. The gasometer tower, standing tall and proud, was a beacon of progress, a symbol of the city’s ambition to forge a future built on innovation.
The gasworks in Schlieren was Switzerland’s largest energy-producing facility in 1898. It stood in the Limmattal valley, at the time a largely undeveloped region. As gas demand soared, the gasworks expanded steadily until the early 1930s. At its peak, the facility produced town gas, a blend of gases essential for supplying the city with energy. However, the invention of natural gas marked the beginning of the end for the facility. Town gas production in Schlieren was discontinued in 1972 when Zurich switched to natural gas.
With its original function obsolete, the gasworks evolved into a multipurpose site, transforming into a hub for innovation and creativity. Today, various businesses rent its buildings as shops and warehouses; a striking example of how the past can serve the future. You can even find a climbing centre in one of the former factory halls.
The Röhrenspeicher TABA Schlieren is an enduring landmark, a testament to human ingenuity and the ever-changing tides of technological progress. It stands as a tangible link to a time when gas illuminated homes and powered industries, a time now captured in the fading echoes of its industrial past.