Exhibition Center Basel - Project "2012"
With investments summoning up to 350 million CHF, the exhibition ground in Basel is about to experience a striking modernization up to the year 2012 by a project developed by the architects Herzog & de Meuron.
Two-storey superstructure covering the Exhibition Square
The most important part of the project, developed on behalf of Swiss Exhibition by the famous architects Herzog and de Meuron of Basel, are the extension of Hall 1 to the Exhibition Square, the renewal of Hall 3 situated near the multi-storey car park and the interconnection of both new hall complexes by a two-storey superstructure covering the Exhibition Square. Swiss Exhibition will be able to carry about 200 million CHF of the planned investments, the rest will be financed by investment grants of the Cantons Basel-City and Basel-Country.
Stabilisation of exhibition portfolio
It is the goal of Swiss Exhibition to stabilise by suitable constructional measures the organization of its own exhibition portfolio and in particular the one of the World Watch and Jewellery Show BASELWORLD annually taking place in Basel. In view of the appropriate requirements, the architects Herzog & de Meuron - in close co-operation with the Group Management and the Cantonal Authorities - made a comprehensive project study and developed the now available project.
Following transformations are central in this project:
- an extension of Hall 1 with three exhibition (ground floor and two upper floors) replacing the existing "head-end structure";
- hall complex with three exhibition floors (ground floor and two upper floors) replacing today's Hall 3, with a multi-functional "event hall" situated in the ground floor as replacement for the large reception hall in today's "head-end structure";
- a connection of the new hall complexes 1 and 3 by a two-storey superstructure over the Exhibition Square (two upper floors) creating an open ground area with two separate entrances to the new hall complexes and available (as "City Lounge") for various other uses;
- an underground delivery concept for the new hall complexes with a connection of the existing basement of Hall 1 with the new Hall 3 by use of a subway under the Exhibition Square;
- renewal of the multi-storey car park front as well as re-allocation of the ground floor hall for different services of Swiss Exhibition;
- optimisation of the infrastructure and the functional program of Congress Center Basel.
Fulfilment of requirements and needs
The project at hand fulfils all exhibition operational requirements and official concerns. After its realization, Swiss Exhibition will have a gross exhibition surface of 150,000 square meters at its disposal. These are 11,000 square meters less than today; this small reduction of the gross exhibition surface is compensated however by the increase in surface available for multi-storey stand constructions. One of the most important requirements fulfilled by the project is the increased compactness of the area - with large connected exhibition surfaces - permitting substantially increased management flexibility for the organization of parallel events or for the arrangement of different sectors within an exhibition. The compactness and the covering of the Exhibition Square will also improve visitors' comfort.
Consideration of public needs
The project also considers public needs by sparing the Rosental area. With the public covered area under the overbuilt Exhibition Square, a "City Lounge" will be created providing a centre of attraction and a meeting place pepping up the Exhibition Square and even revaluating the Clarastrasse. Furthermore, this area will offer interesting opportunities for the Autumn Fair disposing by then of a new accommodation in the new Hall 1. Finally, in particular due to underground delivery, traffic emissions for adjacent residents will be substantially reduced. With the clear and neat structure of the new construction volume, the architects respond to the urban context. Both upper floors contrast with the ground floor and its curved frontline adapted to versatile functions and offering multiple transparencies. Both upper floors are twisted towards each other and in each other. Apart from their well defined horizontal structure, both upper floor facades react to the light leaks and reflections of their neighbourhood.
Investments worth 350 million CH
The costs of the overall project amount to 350 million CHF. Although Swiss Exhibition distinguishes itself by an above average self efficiency, it will not be able to finance the whole project. All in all, Swiss Exhibition will be able to negotiate investments up to 200 million CHF. Therefore, an increase in share capital of about CHF 40 million has been considered and will be submitted to the General Assembly in 2008. The Cantons Basel-City (100 million CHF) and Basel-Country (50 million CHF) will contribute with investment grants and loans free of interest up to 150 million CHF. The governments of Canton Basel-City and Canton Basel-Country already confirmed their support in these orders of magnitude and will submit appropriate requests to their parliaments.
Time schedule
From 10 April to 15 May 2007, the plans of the "Exhibition Center Basel 2012" project will be presented at the public enquiry of the Building and Planning Office of Canton Basel-City. After the public enquiry, the project will be submitted in autumn 2007 to the parliaments of Canton Basel-City (land-use and development plan and investment aids) and Canton Basel-Country (investment aids) in order to be treated this winter after deliberation of the consultative committees. Thereafter, the building permit procedure is scheduled to be accomplished in 2008, so that the construction works may start in 2009. The new hall complex is planned to be launched at Swissbau 2012.
Media contact
Christian Jecker
Corporate Communications
Phone: +41 58 206 22 52
christian.jecker@messe.ch
MCH Messe Schweiz (Holding) AG
CH-4005 Basel
www.messe.ch
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