design magazine

Designed by Swiss architect, Valerio Olgiati and completed in 2010,  the site of the auditorium has created a new central square on the campus of the Agricultural Institute Plantahof.

The irregular tent-like shape of the structure features a low rise entrance which soars sharply to the high rear wall. The architectural concept of a mixture of pillars and walls provides a unique character to the structure. The concrete exterior gives way to an interior of exposed timber frames. Two low level windows permit natural daylight to enter the interior and illuminate the lecture stand. Being the only source of daylight, the inner space is dimly lit.

The auditorium offers facilities not only for lectures but also functions as a classroom for seminars and conferences.

Object: Auditorium
Location: Landquart, Switzerland
Competition: 1. prize, 2008
Client: Building control department of Canton Grison
Architect: Valerio Olgiati
Collaborators: Nathan Ghiringhelli (project manager office Olgiati), Daisuke Kokufuda
Construction supervisor: Georg Nickisch, Franz Bärtsch, ARGE Nickisch/Bärtsch, Chur
Structural engineer: Patrick Gartmann, Conzett Bronzini Gartmann AG, Chur
Materials: anthracite in-situ concrete, steel, chrome-nickel-steel