Technogym
Technogym
Technogym

BIG wins contest to design bespoke watch museum in Switzerland

by Katie Buckley | 16 Jun 2014

Danish architectural practice, Bjarke Ingles Group (BIG) has won a contest to expand the world famous head quarters of luxury watch maker Audemars Piguet in Vallée de Joux, Switzerland, to include a new design museum.

The 2,373 sq m (7,785 sq ft) pavillion will be built to match the story-telling purpose of the structure, which aims to open as a museum dedicated to Audemars Piguet’s history.

Seeing off fierce competition from top international firms - including Snohetta and Richter Dahl Rocha - BIG’s winning intertwined spiral design aims to bridge the gap between architecture and watchmaking as the design is influenced by that of a watch.

Audemars Piguet was founded in 1875 and has been fashioning luxury timepieces ever since. Based in Switzerland –the watchmaking capital of the world – the brand wants to expand it’s historic headquarters to include a design museum. In a statement, Bjarke Ingles (BIG) commented that the project would be a “pavilion for the art and science of watchmaking that is conceived as storyline for the visitors – every element governed by the functional requirements of the exhibition, while appearing as a striking sculpture conceived in a single gesture.”

By marrying the two disciplines of watch crafting and architecture, the enticing spiral structure appears to be the perfect place to showcase extraordinary craftsmanship and keep the company's legacy alive and accessible to the public.

Danish architectural practice, Bjarke Ingles Group (BIG) has won a contest to expand the world famous head quarters of luxury watch maker Audemars Piguet in Vallée de Joux, Switzerland, to include a new design museum. The 2,373 sq m (7,785 sq ft) pavillion will be built to match the story-telling purpose of the structure, which aims to open as a museum dedicated to Audemars Piguet’s history. Seeing off fierce competition
HAM,PRO,ARC,DES,CLD
The structure by BIG is an intricate spiral pavilion, like the movement of a fine time piece / BIG
More news
News stories: 1 - 30 of 7781     
 
 
 
News stories: 1 - 30 of 7781     
 
 
 
company profile
Company profile: Barr + Wray Ltd
Founded in 1959, Barr + Wray is recognised as a world-leading provider of spa design, engineering and pool & spa equipment.
Try cladmag for free!
Sign up with CLAD to receive our regular ezine, instant news alerts, free digital subscriptions to CLADweek, CLADmag and CLADbook and to request a free sample of the next issue of CLADmag.
sign up
features
Despite being a single site in the middle of the Arizona desert “Miraval is a business that clearly punches above its weight” says Weissmann
Before KSL, Weissmann headed up the hospitality and gaming practice at Goldman Sachs
"We don’t leave design and development to chance as you can lose a lot of money doing bad renovation"

After becoming majority shareholders of US spa Miraval, KSL Capital Partners are preparing to roll out the brand. KSL partner Rich Weissman gives us the inside scoop

Meier with associate partners Dukho Yeon, Reynolds Logan, Bernhard Karpf and Vivian Lee in the NY office
Richard Meier received his architectural training at Cornell University and set up his practice in 1963
"Developers today have no incentive to create public space"

The American modernist architect on his latest project and his love of the colour white

Enea is responsible for the landscaping at the Genesis resort in Beijing. A Bulgari Hotel has just opened there
ENZO ENEA
"Sociology and functionality are the two most important aspects when we design – how an individual lives and interacts"

On saving trees, working with Zaha Hadid and changing the face of Miami

Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
To advertise in our catalogue gallery: call +44(0)1462 431385
features
Visitors can ascend the building via a network of exterior walkways and staircases
"It will become one of the centres of reference for art in Europe - Inigo Sáenz de Miera, Botín Foundation"

Renzo Piano’s Santander art museum

The Manica-designed main sport and entertainment facility at Shantou Sport Park, China
David Manica founded Manica Architecture in 2007
"The SEED concept works toward the legacy solution as a starting point"

Rethinking the stadia legacy challenge

Francis graduated as a landscape architect in Belgium. He returned to Lebanon in 1993
"I believe gardens are where the soul rests"

With a focus on desert landscapes and collaborations with Zaha Hadid and OMA, the principal of Francis Landscapes has a deep belief in the power of nature

features
"True luxury is about preserving the soul of an incredible destination"

KimMegsonvisitstheaward-winning ChabléYucatánResort&Spa

The design celebrates Lefay’s key signature elements: light, space, silence and nature
"Wellness embraces the entire holiday experience"

The design of the newly-opened Lefay Resort and Spa Dolomitti in Italy aims to celebrate and protect its spectacular surroundings

Each room has quirky references to the history of the building and the area, such as the bicycle and bookshelf in this Collector’s Suite
Jacu Strauss acted as creative director on the restoration of the hotel
"We were able to start from scratch and have the hotel create its own brand identity"

As the Pulizter Amsterdam is relaunched, creative director Jacu Strauss talks about working in a UNESCO World Heritage location

cladkit product news
Siminetti unveils iridescent decorative panelling range inspired by plants
The Clematis design
Megan Whitby
The Botanicals is Siminetti’s newest Mother of Pearl decorative panelling collection, inspired by the distinctive patterns found in botany and ...
Mather & Co and ITV unite to create Coronation Street Experience
Mather & Co has transformed the visitor centre into the ultimate haven for ardent Coronation Street viewers
Magali Robathan
Experience designers, Mather & Co, have orchestrated a remarkable collaboration with ITV to unveil the new Coronation Street Experience, a ...
Jaffe Holden helps bring Academy Museum of Motion Pictures alive
Jaffe Holden provided architectural acoustics for the Academy Museum
Magali Robathan
Acoustical consulting firm Jaffe Holden provided architectural acoustics and audio/video design services for the recently opened Academy Museum of Motion ...
cladkit product news
Alberto Apostoli designs tech-forward Wellness Therapy furniture collection for Varaschin
The furniture collection draws on absolute geometries, pure lines, neutral colours and strong references to nature
Megan Whitby
Furniture manufacturer Varaschin has unveiled the new Wellness Therapy range, designed by Italian spa and wellness architect and designer Alberto ...
Codelocks develops new glass door smart lock
The new lock model allows facilities and building managers to create and manage access via an app or online portal
Megan Whitby
Codelocks has launched its first glass door smart lock to bring intelligent access control to modern spa, leisure, fitness and ...
Koto Design introduces wood-fired hot tub
Koto is known for crafting modular, energy-neutral cabins and homes
Katie Barnes
A striking wood-fired hot tub has been unveiled by Koto, an architecture and design studio which has a passion for ...
cladkit product news
Alberto Apostoli and Newform collaborate to launch the A.Zeta showerhead
The showerhead offers two modes; rainfall or waterfall
Megan Whitby
Italian architect Alberto Apostoli has renewed his partnership with Newform – an Italian wellness company – and designed A.Zeta. A.Zeta ...
Eco Resort Network conference to convene in Mauritius this May
The event will be hosted in the Mauritius in 2024
Megan Whitby
Hospitality industry event Eco Resort Network is set to take place at the Ravenala Attitude Hotel, Turtle Bay, Mauritius, from ...
Eden project uses drones to spell out climate change warning
Magali Robathan
Almost 300 drones were used to signal an environmental message above the Eden Project’s biomes, during the UN Climate Change ...
x
Sign up with CLAD for regular news updates
Technogym
Technogym