Haefeli Architekten
House of Culture Rain
best architects 22
public buildings
Place
Böttstein, Switzerland
Studio
Photos
Andreas Buschmann
Description
The emblem of the municipal coat of arms «yellow
with sloping red latticework» forms the basic concept of the design. Its transformation into a three-dimensional
structure was intended to create a unique place for the community. Before the
new culture hall could be built, the former gymnasium had to be demolished.
Only its basement remained standing and now forms the foundation for the timber
building, which offers space for art, culture and community events. The use of timber
as structural, finishing and cladding material, the visible roof construction
and the striking curved copper roof are the special features of the building. To
solve the roof structure, two pioneering inventions of timber construction from
the last century had to be combined: the Zollinger roof and the Hetzer arched
truss. The production and assembly processes were optimised and implemented
using CNC technology. The diamond pattern that results from this construction
method reflects the design of the village’s coat of arms and thus acts as an
identity-forming symbol for the inhabitants. From the oak parquet floor, to the
wall panels made of silver fir and the curved ceiling panels made of
three-layer panels, the large hall is constructed with timber throughout. On
the exterior, the roof is covered with a copper layer and the walls are encased
in dark timber cladding.