Swiss architect L3P Architekten has converted a castle-tower to the Vertical Museum. The castle-tower is under historical monuments’ protection and is a distinctive landmark in the region of Zurich. The tower is 21 metres high, the walls being up to 3 metres thick, and the interior radius averaging about 3.5 m.
Conversion Vertical Museum, Castle-Tower Regensbergg - Vertical timeline, drawing courtesy L3P Architekten
Conversion Vertical Museum, Castle-Tower Regensbergg, image courtesy L3P Architekten
Conversion Vertical Museum, Castle-Tower Regensbergg, image courtesy L3P Architekten
As old as the hills and rusty fresh: rusty steel is used for all fixtures; the archaic expression of the castle-tower is underlined.
All existing technical installations have been removed, integrated in the walls or disguised in the timber work hung with rusty wire meshing. This pacification of room lends a marked accent on the stonework of the walls and the mounted objects exhibited on them. The medieval atmosphere has been reinforced with indirect and diffuse lighting.
Conversion Vertical Museum, Castle-Tower Regensbergg, image courtesy L3P Architekten
The exhibition wages through local history vertically. As one ascends the levels, the exhibition themes become younger in their historical development: from mediaeval times on the ground floor, to the 20th century on the 5th floor.
Conversion Vertical Museum, Castle-Tower Regensbergg, image courtesy L3P Architekten
As the battlement is ascended, one is ultimately confronted with the modern era. The weather-proofed exit is in reference to the interior free space of the upper castle. The materialisation with fibre glass, as well as the volumetry reminds one of a snail shell discovered petrified in the battlement cover. Information signs on the flat roof illuminate the modern era view.
The outdoor lighting of the tower has been renewed with a contemporary projection technique, which completely reduces light pollution and brings a 12-fold reduction of energy use.
+ Project credits / data
Architect: L3P Architects
Location: Regensberg, Canton Zurich, Switzerland
Completion: 24.10.2009
Gross floor area: 47.4m2, 6 floors
Client: Foundation Castle Regensberg
Light planning: Vogt + Partner, Winterthur
Exhibition: René Kindlimann, Aathal
Historian: Dr. Bruno Meier, Baden + Dr.Dominik Sauerländer, Aarau
Cantonal historic monument preservation: Beat Stahel
Photography: Vito Stallone
+ Project description, all images and drawings courtesy of L3P Architekten
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