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The Political Context of Star Architecture Projects: The Case of the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern (KKL)

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Abstract

Discussions of urban transformation through flagship architectural projects frequently focus on the material and design aspects of architecture and neglect the factors that contributed to the making of this materiality. However, it is these factors which subsequently enable such projects to become transformative forces within their respective cities. This chapter identifies such key factors and elaborates on the role of the political process that has accompanied the development of the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern (KKL) (Culture and Congress Center Lucerne).

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Notes

  1. 1.

    For an overview of the project history, see Bühlmann (1988). A cultural and political interpretation of the KKL project can be found in the volume “Stronger Opponents Wanted!” Steiner et al. (2001).

  2. 2.

    Reference projects included Hans Scharoun’s Philharmony in Berlin, the City of Birmingham Concert Hall and I.M. Pei’s Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.

  3. 3.

    A comprehensive database documents, amongst others, the files of the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre Foundation and its predecessor organisations Projektierungsgesellschaft Kultur- und Kongresszentrum am See – refer to the history of the KKL 1991-20000 database http://dbeg-kkl.ch

  4. 4.

    A key element of the communication process was a drawing of the planned building by artist Vincent Lafont, Paris. For the symbolism and the communicative power of this rendering, see Stadelmann (1998). In a later blog, he connects the title of Jean Nouvel’s entry in the competition (L’inclusion) with the communication strategy of the KKL project: http://www.stadtfragen.ch/2014/03/architektur-als-zeichensystem/

  5. 5.

    The multifunctional, inclusive approach for the KKL project dates back to an analysis by Hayek Consulting in 1988 which recommended not only a new comprehensive cultural and congress centre but also the conversions of an empty factory hall and an unused jail facility into spaces for rock music and experimental theatre groups.

  6. 6.

    How Jean Nouvel ended up as the admired author of the KKL is a complex and intricate story in itself; refer to Malfroy (1999).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Independent Researcher, Consultant, Analysen & Strategien, Zurich, Switzerland

    Thomas Held

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Correspondence to Thomas Held .

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  1. Urban Development, Technische Universität München, Munich, Bayern, Germany

    Nadia Alaily-Mattar  & Alain Thierstein  & 

  2. Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy

    Davide Ponzini

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Held, T. (2020). The Political Context of Star Architecture Projects: The Case of the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern (KKL). In: Alaily-Mattar, N., Ponzini, D., Thierstein, A. (eds) About Star Architecture. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23925-1_12

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