Swiss Museum of Transport

Project overview
The multi-purpose 'House of Energy' building at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, which opened in April 2023, replaces Otto Dreyer's former Rail Hall 1 and combines modern architecture with a sustainable energy supply. The building, designed by Gigon/Guyer Architekten from Zurich, offers a variety of uses: Exhibition rooms, conference halls and office space for the administration of the Museum of Transport and affiliated organisations. The building is an essential extension to the museum complex with a total area of 7.985 square metres and a height based on the neighbouring IMAX film theatre.

Architecture and design
The building impresses with its polygonal shape and the integration of a green inner courtyard, which helps to illuminate the office space. The façade of the multi-purpose building consists of metal cassettes and perforated metal sheets, which are visually appealing and fulfil essential functions such as summer sun protection and acoustic damping. The building combines energy efficiency with aesthetic appeal thanks to the innovative design with photovoltaic elements integrated into the façade.

Sustainability and energy efficiency
The building's energy centre uses a heat pump heating system powered by lake water to supply the entire Verkehrshaus site sustainably. The building fulfils the Minergie-P standard, achieved through measures such as insulation thicknesses of up to 30 cm, a Thermally Activated Building System (TABS) in the office ceilings and a moderate proportion of openings in the windows. These elements not only contribute to energy efficiency but also ensure a pleasant indoor climate.

Acoustics and room comfort
An outstanding component of the project is the large-scale essential acoustic absorption performance of the exposed concrete surfaces, which is achieved by using the Sorp 10^® sound absorber. In addition, further acoustic measures were integrated to create room acoustics that fulfil the specific requirements of the various uses. This combination of measures ensures an acoustic environment in the meeting rooms, the open-plan office areas and the canteen that optimally supports the concentration and well-being of the users and guarantees an environment that is appropriate for the use.

Conclusion
The 'House of Energy' in the Swiss Museum of Transport is an outstanding example of the successful combination of modern architecture, sustainable energy supply and excellent room acoustics. The large-scale combination of the Sorp 10^® sound absorber in the exposed concrete ceilings with other targeted acoustic measures results in optimum room acoustics, which supports both the success of the project and the high level of acceptance among employees. With its innovative design, the building sets new standards for multifunctional buildings in the museum sector and marks an essential milestone in the further development of the Lucerne Museum of Transport.