EPFL Rolex Learning Center
Swiss Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) is currently building one of the most amazing buildings in Europe, and probably in the world. The “Rolex Learning Center” has been designed by Japanese Sanaa architects.
Losinger (part of the french company Bouygues Construction) is in charge of the construction. The cost is estimated at 100 million Swiss francs (approx. the same in dollars). Private funding will cover half of the amount. Among the principal sponsors are: Rolex, Credit Suisse, Nestlé, Logitech, Losinger, the Schnitzler Foundation, and Logitech’s founder, Daniel Borel. It is rumored that Rolex pays about half of the private funding.
So what’s so special about this building? Just check the images, and you will understand the complexity of the structure. It is supposed to show lightness, although is has a one meter thick armed concrete floor.
Photos
More Info
EPFL: http://learningcenter.epfl.ch/
October 28th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
This building is really incredible. I have seen it recently, and they are now installing the roof. The curved parts of the roof are made out of wood (light and flexible). This building will probably give a nice image of Switzerland and the EPFL.