Location | Kriens LU |
Client | Gemeinde Kriens |
Commission | Study competition on invitation 2009 |
Planning | 2010–2015 |
Construction | 2016–2018 |
Architects | Graber & Steiger Architekten, Project Architect: Anthony Frank |
Consultants | Project Manager: Büro für Bauökonomie, Landscape architect: koepflipartner |
The idea of the Kriens community to use the «Schappe Süd» grounds as an arts and youth centre is controversial in terms of content, urban planning and architecture. Firstly, the community is making an important cultural statement in a prominent location, enhancing the town since its content forms a centre. Secondly, the historically valuable buildings receive a contemporary task and thereby raise awareness among future generations of an important piece of the Kriens developmental history. The design widely exploits the existing potential while aiming for a balanced synthesis between the existing structures and new aspects. The charm of today’s estate, with its industrial buildings as evidence of times past, is the starting point of the project. The courtyard design, the roof landscape and the surrounding wall are integrated into the transformation of the estate and developed further in a contemporary form. Old and new elements are condensed to form a spatially coherent, identity-enhancing ensemble, which has an autonomous expression that develops the power to become an important place of encounter.
The current issue 13/2022 of TEC21 introduces the mixed-use conversion on Denkmalstrasse in Lucerne. Among others, the report highlights how the specific concept of the building achieves a lofty spatial openness despite a highly dense urban context and how the simple and raw spaces invite to a playful appropriation for living and working. Minimalism as an offer!