Modulverantwortung: Yves Dusseiller
Lehrteam: Yves Dusseiller, Matthew Howell, Markus Käch, Carmen Gasser

a new staircase for the old armory Musegg

In the module Construction & Design, we understand sensitive handling of material, construction and detailing as an integral part of the design process, the scale 1:1 is particularly important. The culture of craftsmanship, changes in construction industry, questions of permanence, change and flexibility of use are important topics.

This year we are designing and constructing a new staircase for the old armory Musegg in Lucerne. Originally built as a granary in 1686, it was also used to store salt from 1707 and as Lucerne‘s armory from 1818, and has housed the University of Education for the last few decades. They will move to the new Campus Horw in near future. Questions arise as how this important monument of the city of Lucerne can be preserved and being used in the future. A use as a museum for nature, history and society and a sale with building rights are currently being discussed. Due to its original use as a granary, the window openings in the historically protected facades were kept small, the interior rooms have only little daylight. The wooden roof structure and the wooden floors are very robust in accordance with its original use, they are still in original condition. The new zenithally lit staircase is an inner source for daylight, serves for vertical circulation, is a place of social interaction and allows the building to be experienced spatially in its verticality. We also want to explore the topic of stairs in a broader sense and how beautiful detailing and construction influence architecture.

The semester begins with lectures and a visit to the old armory. We want to design the stairs in the entrance area with the step, railing, handrail and the walls of the stairwell in their proportions, materials, structural design, surfaces and tactile qualities with all details. The design takes place in group work. Construction & Design is taught bilingually in English and German.