DPA Dominique Perrault

Extension de l'ancienne Bibliotheque de l'Ecole Polytechnique Federale . Lausanne

DPA Dominique Perrault . + baunetz

In 2010, the STEINER SA Group, Switzerland's leading total services contractor combined with DOMINIQUE PERRAULT ARCHITECTURE won the competition driven by the EPFL to achieve the "Campus Plan" modernization project by implementing the Center for Neuroprosthetics and the headquarters of the Federal School.

This project includes the renovation of two existing buildings on campus, the former Mechanical Engineering Halls and Central Library, and the creation of an iconic new building, the Teaching Bridge. Parallel to urban redevelopments already led by the EPFL at the North and South of the site, Architecture must reflect the will to reinforce connections between the natural ground and the artificial soil. In this sense, the rehabilitation of the former Mechanical Engineering Halls and the Central Library buildings, but also the new Teaching Bridge, are involved in the campus re-urbanization process by breaking the existing separation between the technical ground-floor and the university life taking place several meters higher.

At the same time, the Noyerettes Street (East /West main axis) will be moved approximately ten meters to the South, freeing up space in front of the Mechanical hall and the former Library buildings fagades and providing a large aisle punctuated with tall trees. The cross of those two axis forms an urban T, offering both great perspectives on the remarkable Rolex Learning Center, and a new living panorama on the campus center.