Insights into the unbuilt architecture of Switzerland in Basel
Published: Friday, Nov 24th 2023, 15:31
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The Swiss Architecture Museum in Basel presents insights into unrealized building projects throughout Switzerland. Missed opportunities come up against projects that were fortunately not realized.
"What if?" The title of the exhibition says it all: what if the competition jury for the new Palais des Nations in Geneva in 1927-1929 had chosen Le Corbusier's design? An icon of modernism would be standing on Lake Geneva and not the late classicist temple of the five architects who were ultimately chosen.
What if the city of Zurich had not been afraid of having to deal with an uncomfortable architect and unforeseeable costs in 1973? Today, it could boast a theater building by Jørn Utzon, the builder of the famous Sidney Opera House. And the Heimplatz would be traffic-free.
Lost, negated sunk, changed
In its current special exhibition, the Swiss Architecture Museum explores unbuilt architecture in Switzerland. These are designs that landed in the bottom places in architectural competitions, which failed in direct-democratic Switzerland due to a popular majority, somehow fell through or were realized in a modified form.
One of the latter examples is the 69-metre-high BIZ tower at Basel's SBB railroad station. It was originally intended to be 13 meters taller, which would certainly have done its current somewhat stubby appearance some good, as exhibition curator Andreas Kofler said at a media tour on Friday. However, the private Basel Heritage Society got its way with its objection that the tower would block the unobstructed view of the cathedral towers from the noble Bruderholz hill.
The exhibition is based on proposals submitted by various architectural archives in Switzerland. A separate desk is dedicated to each project, with plans, some models, books and newspaper clippings that allow an in-depth examination of the topic.
It presents 23 architectural projects throughout Switzerland that have failed or been downgraded for various reasons. They include spectacular and well-presented buildings and stories, but also projects that are less well documented.
The exhibition will be on display until April 7, 2024.
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