The Glacier Garden Museum Extension in Luzern, Switzerland by Miller & Maranta masterfully blends geological history with contemporary architecture, creating an immersive journey through ancient sandstone formations and whimsical garden follies.
This ambitious project, completed in 2022, not only pays homage to the natural beauty and historical significance of the site but also reinvigorates it through thoughtful architectural interventions.
The Gletschergarten, nestled at the base of Wesemlin hill, boasts a history as ancient as the sandstone rock it sits upon. Formed 20 million years ago from a marine beach, this rock has seen varied uses over the centuries, from quarrying in the Middle Ages to becoming the canvas for the renowned sculptor Thorvaldsen in the 19th century. The accidental discovery of glacier pots in 1872 marked the beginning of the site's transformation into a tourist attraction, drawing visitors eager to explore the Alpine phenomena.
The architectural ensemble of the park, with its decentralized attractions, evokes the charm of English landscape parks. Structures such as the Schwyzerhüsli, Schweizerhaus, Aussichtsturm, and various other pavilions and passages create a picturesque and historically layered environment. The new extension project seeks to clarify and enhance this rich tapestry by dismantling certain annexes and expanding the park, thereby redefining it as a cohesive landscape garden with distinct, interconnected areas.
Central to the new design is a square adjacent to the Schweizerhaus, serving as the nucleus from which various exhibition elements radiate. Visitors enter through an access portal leading to a columned hall carved into the rock, where filtered daylight creates a mystical ambiance. The journey into the rock is marked by a gradual descent, revealing the geological wonders of the site. This path, with its oblique corridors and caverns shaped by the sandstone's natural fissures, immerses visitors in an environment that stimulates both scientific curiosity and philosophical contemplation.
The materiality of the extension is dominated by stone, reinforcing the connection to the site's geological roots. The interplay of light and darkness, the spatial dynamics of confinement and expanse, and the auditory experiences of sound and silence all contribute to a profound sensory experience. This journey culminates in a cavern where rainwater collects into a serene mountain lake, emphasizing the elemental relationship between rock and water.
An intricate staircase then leads visitors upward, emerging from the depths into the garden courtyard. This ascent is a symbolic journey from darkness to light, where increasing sunlight nurtures vegetation on the rock surfaces. The tour continues through the enchanted Sommerau, offering panoramic views of Lucerne, before returning to the central square via the observation tower.
The northern part of the site houses new exhibition spaces, including a mirror labyrinth in the basement accessible via winding staircases. The Schweizerhaus itself is preserved and enhanced, its curiosity cabinet filled with artifacts from the 19th century providing a nostalgic glimpse into the museum design of that era.
Overall, the Glacier Garden Museum Extension by Miller & Maranta is a masterful blend of natural history and contemporary architecture. It respects and amplifies the inherent qualities of the site while offering new, immersive experiences. The thematic structuring of the garden, with its naturalistic and whimsical follies, ensures that the Glacier Garden remains a place of wonder and discovery for generations to come.
