Messe Basel New Hall – Herzog & de Meuron – Switzerland

Messe Basel New Hall – Herzog & de Meuron – Switzerland

Architect: Herzog & de Meuron

Location: Basel, Switzerland

Project: 2004-2012

Realization: 2010-2013

Images © MCH Group

Basel architects Herzog & de Meuron have recently completed the New Hall of Messe Basel Exhibition Center. Its realization is a key development in the Messe Basel’s aim to concentrate its exhibition halls around the Messeplatz (Exhibition Square).

 The New Hall features three levels. The ground floor entrance level seamlessly links the City Lounge to the existing halls, the new event space for 2’500 spectators, and a number of shops, bars and restaurants. The dynamic sweep of the street level facade reacts to the flows of people and corresponds to the space required at the tram stop and entrances to the exhibition centre and Event Hall. Here, large expanses of glass create the spatial transparency both necessary and appropriate in order to achieve the openness envisioned for the exhibition hall complex and the enlivening of public urban life.

 The two upper exhibition levels are offset from each other as separate volumes allowing them to respond and shift to specific urban conditions. From each point of view, the new hall offers a different perception and thus avoids the repetitive monotony typical of exhibition halls. This constant architectural variation is reinforced by applying a homogeneous material (aluminum) over all exterior surfaces.

 The facade of articulated twisting bands strategically modulates and reduces the scale of the halls large volumes to its surroundings. This is not simply a decorative element but a practical means to regulate the fall of natural light on adjacent properties and to provide views in to the new hall’s social spaces and out towards specific views of the city of Basel.