Urban development concept
(Andreas Fuhrimann Gabrielle Hächler Architects ETH BSA SIA AG)

In terms of urban planning, the break in the hillside created by the mouth of the old stream forms a spatial link between the urban fabric and the Rotsee, which today represents an important leisure and recreation area for the Lucerne region. The horizontal structure of the new rowing centre takes up the long, seemingly artificial form of the Rotsee and continues it in a wooden construction whose elongated proportions are reminiscent of an elegant rowing boat. The upper floor rests on two slightly offset concrete structures, giving it a floating, light expression that does justice to the heterogeneous character of the recreational landscape on Lake Rotsee. The building acts as a link between the hills to the west and east and forms a clear front to the Rotseewiese, which will remain in its current form.

Architectural and spatial concept / materialisation
The functional ground floor, characterised by the two slightly offset concrete boxes, which occupy a minimal floor area, houses the storage and boat halls in a serial arrangement. All technical rooms, ancillary rooms and the public toilets are also located on the predominantly unheated ground floor.

The main entrance to the rowing centre occupies the outdoor space between the concrete structures, which is lit from above. A representative external staircase leads to the upper floor. The upper floor of the new rowing centre is a prefabricated wooden construction, which is placed freely on the reinforced concrete ground floor and is divided into two levels. The reception room, which has a large skylight opening, forms the prelude and distributor to the actual utility rooms of the rowing centre, each of which has its own entrance door. Most of the rooms are used by the LMS school during the year and for 2-3 weeks a year by the rowers during national and international competitions. The ancillary rooms such as changing, showers and toilets are located on the south side, while the offices and the training room are on the north side with a view of the lake.

The choice of simple and robust materials – exposed concrete, galvanised metal and wood – underlines the functional character of the building.

Project Data:
Location: Rotsee, Lucerne
Client: Naturarena Rotsee
Client: Foundation Rowing Centre Lucerne – Rotsee
Architects: Andreas Fuhrimann Gabrielle Hächler Architects ETH BSA SIA AG, Zurich
Planners: Schärli Architekten AG (construction management) Lucerne, Berchtold + Eicher AG (engineering) Zug
Project management: Daniel Stankowski, Martina Guler
Competition: Carlo Fumarola, Lukas Schlatter, Andrej Zouev
Construction period: 2015 (Aug) – 2016 (May)
Surface area: 2400 m2, 11.2 million CHF
Photographer: Valentin Jeck, Zurich