New hub for the energy industry at the Museum of Transport Lucerne
The Swiss Museum of Transport is creating another focal point on an important topic with the energy exhibition on an area of 600 square metres in the purpose-built new building called the House of Energy.
The “House of Energy” at the Museum of Transport Lucerne is a new, long-term platform on the subject of energy. Not only transport and mobility are connected with energy – energy is needed for every form of locomotion. But it also plays a key role in the burning issue of climate change: transport alone accounts for more than a third of CO2 emissions in Switzerland.
Many people still do not understand the complex interrelationships. The Swiss Museum of Transport wants to change this with its new exhibition. On an area of 600 square metres, the interrelationships and their effects on society are to be shown: How do housing and mobility interact? What might innovative solutions and Switzerland’s energy future look like in 2050? Visitors will be able to view exhibits and interactive attractions that illustrate and bring to life the past, present and future of energy. In addition, various conferences and events on the topic of energy are planned from 2023.
The purpose-built building by Gigon Guyer Architekten from Zurich, which replaces the former “Schienenverkehr 1” hall, was designed with the latest generation of energy technology equipment: Minergie P is the standard, the energy centre runs on water, and photovoltaic systems have been installed on the roof and the façade. Thanks to this energy centre, the entire Swiss Museum of Transport will be able to run largely on renewable energy in the future. In realising the project, the Swiss Museum of Transport worked together with partners from politics, administration, science and business. The “House of Energy” is intended to serve as an educational venue for schools and universities as well as an experimental laboratory and innovation location for initiating and accompanying activities and projects in the context of sustainable mobility.
The Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, with its strong visitor numbers of 500,000 to 600,000 people per year at the museum, sees itself as a partner in the transformation process towards the targeted net-zero climate neutrality in 2050. The new energy platform is intended to promote interest in and discussion of the topics of energy and mobility with a focus on Switzerland. The goals include imparting knowledge, creating a strong connection to the everyday lives of visitors, and transparently presenting the challenges along with possible solutions and communication in relation to schools and the professional world. The interactive exhibition will open in April 2023. The new building, which does not include the energy centre and tenant improvements, cost around 37.8 million Swiss francs.