Art in the former “sack magazine”
The art patron Christoph J. Hürlimann bought the former Sackmagazin in Uri. Today he exhibits art in the listed building.
In 2019, Christoph J. Hürlimann from the canton of Uri bought the former “Sackmagazin” by architect Robert Maillart on the Werkmatt site in Uri. Hürlimann, who founded the “Art Depot” foundation based in Göschenen with his family, previously owned the neighboring “Silomagazin” by the architect Eduard Züblin.
At a media briefing together with Uri’s director of economics, Urban Camenzind
Christoph Hürlimann gave an insight into his plans after his purchase in 2019: “My vision is to build an art path in Uri. This should begin at the Haus für Kunst Uri in Altdorf, continue to the Altdorf art silo and art depot in Werkmatt Uri, via the Göschenen art depot and end in the Sasso San Gottardo Museum on the Gotthard Pass. With the purchase of the former sack magazine, this vision has come a little closer.» Camenzind was also pleased with the sale: “The purchase of the building by Christoph Hürlimann is a stroke of luck for the canton of Uri.”
Hürlimann now uses the two listed buildings on the Werkmatt site to store and exhibit various collections of art objects. In recent years he has developed the two historic buildings into a meeting place for cultural, artistic and social uses. This change of use enhances both the two historically significant buildings and the entire area.
A lot of work was required to prepare the former sack magazine for its new use: “We had to carry out a variety of work: expand the stairwell as an escape route, retrofit electrical installations, install many partitions, do various painting work, make security installations, attach burglary protection,” says Hürlimann .
The Werkmatt Uri in the Eyschachen area southwest of the Altdorf train station is one of the last large land reserves in the Uri valley floor. The 12 hectare area is located between the railway tracks and the A2 Gotthard motorway. More than 100 years ago, the first uses that required a direct rail connection were created there: the most prominent examples are the two federal grain stores built in 1912 and 1913 by the architects Eduard Züblin and Robert Maillart.