Location | Pilatus Kulm, Alpnach OW |
Client | PILATUS BAHNEN AG, KRIENS |
Commission | Competition on invitation 2008 |
Planning | 2008–2010 |
Construction | 2010–2011 |
Architects | Graber & Steiger Architekten, Project Architect: Philip Käslin |
Consultants | Construction manager: Jürg Gabthuler, Structural engineer: Dr. Schwartz Consulting, Cost management: Büro für Bauökonomie, Façade engineering: Metallprojekt GmbH |
Photographer | D.M. Wehrli |
The impressive, crystalline silhouette of the Pilatus massif was integrated into the design for the panorama gallery and developed further in an architectural form. The new structure is subtly fitted into the Alpine terrain and develops between existing buildings and striking rocky outcrops into an artificial topography. The polygonal, meandering ground plan and the gentle cross-sectional modulation are spatial strategies that evoke gentle transitions between the developed and undeveloped landscape. The polygonal connecting section choreographs a series of spectacular perspectives and breath-taking viewpoints, while also acting as a perceptive amplifier that stages the reference to the landscape to the fullest extent. The underlying crystalline theme of the volumetrics is also reflected in the structure, construction and materialisation, and is based on a hybrid steel and concrete composite system.
Graber & Steiger Architects are looking back on a 25-year journey with a fruitful output of around two dozen buildings and numerous projects. As a retrospective of the past two and a half decades we have launched the project "Twenty-Five Wor(l)ds", which incorporates critical external views on our work to date and at the same time shows us perspectives for the future. "Twenty- Five Wor(l)ds" explores, among others the question of which poles influence a design orientation and how an indispensable, trans-regional discourse can be continued under new auspices.
25 positions from Bangladesh, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Austria, Portugal, the USA and Switzerland are formed into a multifaceted exchange that can be viewed by the public in a currently vacant store. At our domicile at Alpenstrasse 1, during one month, thoughts and images will radiate into the urban space of Lucerne and recall its significance as an important place of exchange. Passers-by, as well as the professional audience will be addressed in a sensual way with questions and statements about architecture, (urban) space and society.
The installation deliberately avoids the now common format of virtual online exhibitions or that of webinars, which often achieve neither depth nor sensuality. "Twenty-Five Wor(l)ds" is an attempt to liberate a dialogue that is in the interest of the general public from the increasing privacy of the channeled, virtual space and to let it appear instead in the real, collective space. The installation can ultimately also be seen as a contribution to how the public street space can be vitalized in an enriching way despite increased vacancies of business premises as a result of online consumption or the pandemic.
10 April- 10 Mai 2021, dailay 10 am - 10 pm
Extended till 31 Ma 2021
Storefront / Arcade Alpenstrasse 1, 6004 Lucerne