![Visitor Centre at the Swiss Ornithological Institute / :mlzd - Waterfront, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5588/bfbc/e58e/cef4/b500/008a/newsletter/portada_Vogelwarte_2_031.jpg?1435025326)
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Architects: :mlzd
- Area: 2030 m²
- Year: 2015
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Photographs:Alexander Jaquemet
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Manufacturers: horgenglarus
![Visitor Centre at the Swiss Ornithological Institute / :mlzd - Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5588/bfe1/e58e/cef4/b500/008b/newsletter/Vogelwarte_2_010.jpg?1435025361)
Text description provided by the architects. The new Visitor Centre at the Swiss Ornithological Ins- titute has been built on the banks of Sempachersee. Its function is to provide the public with more information about the work of the Ornithological Institute and about bird life in Switzerland.
![Visitor Centre at the Swiss Ornithological Institute / :mlzd - Image 19 of 27](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5588/c19e/e58e/cef4/b500/0097/medium_jpg/vos_press_floor_0.jpg?1435025810)
A dynamic network of routes guides visitors through the exhibition and the entire lakeside site.
![Visitor Centre at the Swiss Ornithological Institute / :mlzd - Chair, Table, Beam, Windows, Patio](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5588/bfce/e58e/ce1c/2900/0094/newsletter/Vogelwarte_2_002.jpg?1435025343)
The compact, polygon structures have been positioned so that they interact with the countryside and the lake. One part of the building houses the extremely flexible exhibition hall. The area between the buildings has been made into a spacious foyer, from where there is access to all parts of the exhibition.
![Visitor Centre at the Swiss Ornithological Institute / :mlzd - Garden](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5588/c030/e58e/ce1c/2900/0096/newsletter/Vogelwarte_2_028.jpg?1435025443)
The showcase aviary at the end of the foyer offers a gradual, fleeting transition between the inside and outside worlds. The building’s self-supporting outer shell is comprised of solid walls made of rammed earth.
![Visitor Centre at the Swiss Ornithological Institute / :mlzd - Beam, Column, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5588/bfff/e58e/cef4/b500/008c/medium_jpg/Vogelwarte_2_015.jpg?1435025384)
With the addition of simple timber constructions, they give the Visitor Centre, which satisfies the “Minergie-P-eco” standard, its charac- teristic appearance and do justice to the sustainability concept.
![Visitor Centre at the Swiss Ornithological Institute / :mlzd - Deck, Handrail](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5588/c0dd/e58e/ce1c/2900/0097/medium_jpg/Vogelwarte-K_009.jpg?1435025611)