Administrative building in Appenzell
The sculptural new building stands on Marktgasse street; self-assured, independent and with an identity-creating aura. The insertion is developed from the area’s historical architecture of freestanding buildings, which mediates between two linear urban structures using a parallelogram-shaped floorplan, while at the same time tracing the street and spatially redefining and sharpening the course of Marktgasse and freeing up the neighbouring existing buildings. The new building is four-storeyed and, analogous to its historical neighbors, freestanding in design. It adopts the typological elements of the location, and it integrates itself in scale and logic into the larger whole – without imitation but also without subservience. As an interpretation of a proven typology, it reacts in a contemporary and independent manner in the spirit of future-oriented architecture and a development of building culture. A centrally located core forms a horizontal division into three parallel layers, which results in a simple and flexible basic structure. This forms the basis for both the static and the organizational system that continues into the roofscape, which as a regular gable roof takes up the language of the place and supports the scale. Three gable elements of equal size facing south take up the historical rhythm of the characteristic ridge landscape. We feel it worth mentioning that we consider the formation of a single transverse gable, which gives the building a recognisable appearance and landmark facade in the direction of the Landsgemeindeplatz, outwardly expresses the courtroom as the most important room of the building, while harmonising the facade with the traditional surroundings. Furthermore, we also consider that the construction and appearance take up the historical themes of the solid base and the wooden building above it. The position of the building close to Marktgasse forms a new element, which continues the theme of narrowness and vastness by means of site-specific narrowness of the street space and generates not only good presence but also exciting outdoor sequences. The quietly designed new building reacts discreetly and balanced to the existing building structures and develops well proportioned outdoor spaces on all sides. An open, covered front area creates a generous entrance zone.
Design Team: Andreas Cukrowicz, Anton Nachbaur-Sturm, Stefan Prattes with Ghisleni Partner AG Rapperswil, Baubüro Hollenstein Fire Protection Zuzwil, Martin Stocker Modelmaking Hohenems.
Project Team: Martin Ladinger [PL], Lukas Vögel, Miriam Perez Morel, Lea Stegherr, Anke Ess, Samuel Rittner, Andreas Cukrowicz, Anton Nachbaur-Sturm.
Client: State of Appenzell Innerrhoden (Switzerland), Department of Construction and Energy
Competition 2020 1st Prize, Construction 2023-2026
