The electrical power supply company (EWZ), maintains a plot of land in one of the most complex and important urban areas of Zurich. The area had previously functioned as an industrial zone, and is characterized by its haphazard, yet vital, arrangement of warehouses, electrical lines, highways and railways. More recently, the neighborhood has begun to attract the development of new offices, apartments and hotels, including the tallest building in the city. The EWZ recognized the value of its property, and had tried several times to develop a comprehensive plan without success. Understanding the overall importance of the site, the city of Zurich decided to launch a competition. As is common in Switzerland, the competition required designs that were extremely detailed, and this was only achievable with the investment of significant resources and the involvement of many experienced specialists.