National Park Centre / Valerio Olgiati

May 2010

Uploaded by Nico Saieh — Filed under: Public Facilities ,Selected , Concrete, Switzerland, Valerio Olgiati

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Architect: Valerio Olgiati
Location: Zernez, Switzerland
Collaborators: Aldo Duelli (project manager office Olgiati), Fabrizio Ballabio, Theo Barmettler, Pascal Flammer, Herwig Lins, Sara Wiedenbeck
Client: Swiss National Parc, Zernez
Construction Supervisor: Rico Stupan, Architectura DC SA, Scuol + Claudio Bulfoni, Castellani & Bulfoni, Scuol
Structural Engineer: Jon Andrea Könz, Ing.-Büro, Zernez + Dr.Schwarz Consulting, Zug
Project Area: 1,780 sqm
Project Year: 2006-2008
Photographs: Javier Miguel Verme

The exhibitions are held in the new visitors centre. The administration is in the old castle building; the hall, foyer and seminar space are in the stables.

ground floor plan

From outside the new building seems extremely regular, it has no emotional expression, so to speak. The inner spatial development is the product of antitheses: of concealing and revealing, heaviness and lightness, regularity and irregularity. The windows are slightly more horizontal in format, producing an “observing” view in all directions from each room. The exhibition spaces can be properly blacked out and all have the multi- functional technical facilities required for contemporary exhibitions.

: © Javier Miguel Verme

: © Javier Miguel Verme

: © Javier Miguel Verme

: © Javier Miguel Verme

: © Javier Miguel Verme

: © Javier Miguel Verme

: ground floor plan

: first floor plan

: second floor plan

* Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.

Cite:
Saieh , Nico . "National Park Centre / Valerio Olgiati" 16 May 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 09 Feb 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/59578>

Comments (17)
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shetu says:

Interesting

# May 16, 2010 at 13:11

dados says:

I used to think this building was scary as hell. Now I like it though.

# May 16, 2010 at 13:30

Rui Agnelo says:

Is that a staircase, facing the corner on ground floor??

# May 16, 2010 at 13:31

josephiklein.com says:

what wonderful curiosities thanks arch daily i have been to hard on you. please forgive me.

# May 16, 2010 at 13:56

Che says:

This building is very simple, awesome. The photo of the bifurcating stair looks like an image from a kaleidoscope. Very poetic.

# May 16, 2010 at 14:41

rodger says:

terrific project, but very heavy handed.
ie,the ‘handrail’ on the steps says much about the rest of the project and the architect.

# May 16, 2010 at 18:44

Jim bob says:

This building is an atrocity, concrete is the WORST material for sustainability. In a world where most architects are trying to change the world for the better… this architect decided to make all four sides of the building the same!?!?!?!? People should be punished for work like this.

# May 17, 2010 at 10:45

Ricardo Stanzani says:

sustainability is the new church, no?

# May 18, 2010 at 06:07

op says:

even concrete can be sustainable, massive walls helps in climate where temperature change at night is extreme…

# May 17, 2010 at 11:01

Leonid says:

This is a brilliant, intelligent project.

PS Jim Bob, open your eyes! Your comment isn’t very thoughtful.

# May 17, 2010 at 16:25

jim bob says:

How is this project good? Really do tell…. the building has no program… is overly thermal massive in a building that won’t be used at night so the days heat will be wasted on an empty building… it has no detail… have seen the railing? It is bland heavy handed and so far beyond sustainable it hurts…. it that thoughtfully enough…. how about building with nature and not against it…

# May 17, 2010 at 22:53

It pains me that so many people think this is cool as an artistic expression and ignore the reality of its use and environment

# May 17, 2010 at 23:01

Juji says:

reminds a bit of Claus en Kaan’s office building in Amsterdam, doesn’t it? Just less windows…

# May 18, 2010 at 07:10

orenin says:

i find it interesting that a project like this one chooses to focus on the subtleties of the hidden and the interior rather than obtaining a momentary “wow” reaction from passerby’s.
having said that, i think that a simple white would help reduce the austerity of the project.

# May 18, 2010 at 07:24

tyra says: