The building was erected in 1994 to retain contaminated water after large industrial fires. The structure of the building can be read as a direct consequence of the major fire at the Schweizerhallen in 1986, which highlighted the dangers of industry and the vulnerability of the environment far beyond Basel. As a result of the remodelling of the Dreispitz site, the basins have lost their original purpose and are therefore empty today. [1] 
The garage offers space for 280 cars and room for up to 6,000 cubic metres of water. The building has a total height of 28 metres, with a height of 15 metres and a depth of 13 metres. [2]

The function of the multi-storey car park is central to the Dreispitz area. The current use of the concrete cylinder in the centre of the access ramp shows what a simultaneous use could look like. The negative space of the ramp was used as a cistern for the fire brigade. During the development of the site, this was also reinterpreted when the Atlantis diving school found perfect conditions here for its deep dives.  [3]

[1] Architekturwoche Basel, Reservoir Open Call, 2024
[2] ibid.
[3] ibid.