Rhine Falls Visitor Center

Laufen-Uhwiesen, Switzerland

Photo © Roger Frei

Photo © Mark Röthlisberger, Hochbauamt Kanton Zürich

Photo © Roger Frei

Architects: Leuppi & Schafroth Architekten

Location: Rheinfallweg, 8248 Laufen-Uhwiesen, Switzerland
Year: 2010

Located in Canton Zurich, the Rhine Falls visitor center defines the entry to Laufen castle and the pathway leading to Europe’s largest waterfall. The program required integrating a souvenir shop, bistro, public toilet facilities and a multipurpose hall into an existing staff house. The difficult task of transforming the nondescript house into a public building was achieved by extending the pitched roof and developing a new skin that wraps the entire structure. The new façade, made of weatherproof steel plates, forms a suit of armor which unifies the building into a primary form. On the ground level, folded canopies reveal a second layer with entries, vitrines and a ticket counter. The perforated steel elements on the upper level filter sunlight into the multipurpose hall.

Commission type

Invited Competition, 1. Place

Client

Canton Zurich Real Estate Department

Canton Zurich Building Department