[A federal technical college for blacksmiths]

In 1890 the former Veterinary School of Zurich received the order to build a "Eidgenössische Lehrschmiede" (Federal School for Black Smiths) on its campus. It was the intention not only to get more space but simultaneously to build a representative edifice. To make the most of the site the building was to be placed immediately at the wall of the channel of the river Sihl. But this was against the urban regulations of the city of Zurich. During the negotiations with the Council of Zurich the Veterinary School was elevated to a faculty of the university in 1901. All the emphasis now was laid on the changeover to the university and additionally the matter "smithy" was delayed because of the need of a larger building of the institute for anatomy. Finally the huge changes in the private and public transport by trains and motor car reduced the importance of a school for black smiths. However the importance of other projects gained like the enlargement of the stables. The beginning of the First World War buried all plans of a school for black smiths.