Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre

The Culture and Convention Centre Lucerne ( KKL short ) is a multifunctional building with a concert hall, which is appreciated for its top-class acoustics, built by the plans of the architect Jean Nouvel. The KKL was opened in 1998 with a concert by the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Claudio Abbado.

Building design

Due to the unique location at Europe Square on the Lucerne lake cove of Lake Lucerne, the architect sought to connect with the water. Since the requirements a building on the water prevented ( original project idea), he integrated the water in the architecture of the house, "If I can not go to the water, the water should come to me ."

The front sight consists of three buildings which bear the function visually to the outside; intervening located both inside as well as on the forecourt water. The three parts of the building house the concert hall, the multifunctional Lucerne Hall, the Museum of Art Lucerne and other conference and meeting facilities. There are also various dining options ( RED Restaurant, Café World, lakeside bar, Waterfront and Crystal Lounge ). In the architecture of the KKL at the same time also expresses the philosophy of the house under the roof of a large variety of events take place, not only individually for himself, but - with permeable borders - even to each other. These events include the areas of culture, conventions and gastronomy.

Costs

The construction costs of the KKL amounted to 226.5 million Swiss francs (including underground parking ). The house was financed on Lake Lucerne by means of a Public Private Partnership: The public and private investors together enabled the construction of the new Culture and Convention Centre Lucerne.

Concert Hall

The concert hall is regarded as one of the best halls for classical concerts. Both the visual and the technical interior fittings have no equal and were an example of the Dortmund Concert Hall, which opened in 2002. The acoustician Russell Johnson has created a first-class concert hall, in collaboration with Jean Nouvel. The sound body in the form of a ship hull has, among other electrically adjustable Klang-/Echokammern and specially designed plaster reliefs. This variable design can be matched to the different requirements of the played music. The isolation of the sound source is designed especially complex, for example, the inputs were designed as locks. Inside the silence is almost physically tangible.

Due to the high-profile acoustic classical music occupies a very special position in the program design. For several weeks in late summer, the house is reserved exclusively for classical concerts at the Lucerne Festival, which provides consistently an upstanding music program with the best Philharmonic in the world. In addition to classical concerts but also a busy program of gospel choirs up to the blues.

Special

The windows are made ​​by the shape, height and outlook to postcard subjects. Also the terrace under the huge roof offers a view of the sea bay and nearby mountains.

Architectural Criticism / Discussion

• Knives, blades, guillotines. Revisited: An Jean Nouvel eröffnetem five years ago, the Culture and Congress Centre in Lucerne impressed especially the roof. By Peter Neitzke, Frankfurter Rundschau, October 15, 2003
• Multiplier effects in Lucerne. Roland Scherer in conversation with Jörg Seifert, in: Raimund Blödt, Frid Bühler, Faruk Murat, Jörg Seifert: Beyond Metropolis. An examination of the urbanized landscape, Sulgen / Zurich: Niggli Verlag 2006, ISBN 3-7212-0583-9.
• Architecture as the mother of all arts. Total opening of the Culture and Convention Centre Lucerne. By Roman Hollenstein, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, March 25, 2000
• Slamming doors for the music enjoyment. Dictates of the acoustician, Triumph of acousticians: Jean Nouvel and Russell Johnson's new concert hall of the Music Festival Lucerne. By Thomas Delekat, The World, August 21, 1998