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| "No one took me seriously." This building saved the life of Christian Schifferle. Photo: Jean Revillard/Rezo |
by Patrick Baumann, illustre.ch,
1st December 2015
In Zurich, an apartment building, the first of its kind in Europe, accommodates persons suffering from electromagnetic or chemical allergies. Report on a true five-story Faraday cage.
At first sight, nothing distinguishes this apartment building with a sable-colored exterior, located in a rural neighborhood, from another building. We are on the heights of Leimbach, 15 minutes from downtown Zurich. Christian Schifferle awaits us in front of the first anti-allergy building in Europe, reserved for persons suffering multiple chemical hypersensitivity (MCS) and electrosensitivity. "Come dressed in the most natural clothing possible, no perfume and of course, switch off your cell phone," he tells us. He keeps his mask on, even inside the building. Our odors are disturbing, he explains, even the battery of the Jean Revillard's camera emits a slight electromagnetic field. A strange object of plastic and steel placed on the table confirms it. "The guardian", he smiles. A dosimeter, a sort of Big Brother of waves which tracks the least suspect volt. Very useful to all the residents of this very special building.
Permanently tired
At 59, Christian Schifferle is president of the foundation at the origin of the building of this unique place in Switzerland. He does not recall a single day when he did not suffer from allergies. Everything assaulted this man with fine features: paint, perfume, cleaning products, cigarettes. Spending half an hour in a department store rife with Wi-Fi terminals is for him hell on earth. "I even thought of suicide", he confessed, unfolding his long legs. Being electrosensitive, or MCS, in a modern world saturated with waves that are more and more powerful and invasive, is like being permanently dead. And misunderstood by his entourage. "This building symbolizes our release from invisibility", he says. This true five-story Faraday cage completed in December 2013 cost 6 million. The quality of the air, the absence of antennas and the proximity of Uetilberg Mountain played a key role in the selection of its location.
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In Zurich, an apartment building, the first of its kind in Europe, accommodates persons suffering from electromagnetic or chemical allergies. Report on a true five-story Faraday cage.
At first sight, nothing distinguishes this apartment building with a sable-colored exterior, located in a rural neighborhood, from another building. We are on the heights of Leimbach, 15 minutes from downtown Zurich. Christian Schifferle awaits us in front of the first anti-allergy building in Europe, reserved for persons suffering multiple chemical hypersensitivity (MCS) and electrosensitivity. "Come dressed in the most natural clothing possible, no perfume and of course, switch off your cell phone," he tells us. He keeps his mask on, even inside the building. Our odors are disturbing, he explains, even the battery of the Jean Revillard's camera emits a slight electromagnetic field. A strange object of plastic and steel placed on the table confirms it. "The guardian", he smiles. A dosimeter, a sort of Big Brother of waves which tracks the least suspect volt. Very useful to all the residents of this very special building.
Permanently tired
At 59, Christian Schifferle is president of the foundation at the origin of the building of this unique place in Switzerland. He does not recall a single day when he did not suffer from allergies. Everything assaulted this man with fine features: paint, perfume, cleaning products, cigarettes. Spending half an hour in a department store rife with Wi-Fi terminals is for him hell on earth. "I even thought of suicide", he confessed, unfolding his long legs. Being electrosensitive, or MCS, in a modern world saturated with waves that are more and more powerful and invasive, is like being permanently dead. And misunderstood by his entourage. "This building symbolizes our release from invisibility", he says. This true five-story Faraday cage completed in December 2013 cost 6 million. The quality of the air, the absence of antennas and the proximity of Uetilberg Mountain played a key role in the selection of its location.