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Aquatis - Cité de l'eau douce
Aquatis - Cité de l'eau douce
Lausanne, Switzerland
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Aquatis - Cité de l'eau douce
Lausanne, Switzerland
An iconic building on Lausanne’s doorstep
Built at the North of the city of Lausanne, the Aquatis Complex includes a 143-room hotel and an aquarium-vivarium. The hotel special “L” shape forms the boundary of the hub’s central area and shows it to best advantage. This space is the heart of the project – it houses the aquarium, which is a landmark in this “Fresh water complex”.
While the silk-screened glass façades of the hotel reflect the colours of the surrounding area and the vagaries of the weather, those of the aquarium, which are covered in 100’000 aluminium discs, shimmer as the wind blows. This effect is like that of fish scales shining in the sun or of waves on a body of water. Water is also found at ground level, between the two buildings, in an outdoor pool, which adds to this reflected play of light.
Programme
The Aquatis Complex is part of the “Biopôle », a science park centred on life sciences, developing fast in the northern area of Lausanne. It is a strategic location, where the orbital motorway around the city intersects with the new M2 Metro line. The development consists of a Park & Ride lot, on top of which a hotel and the aquarium-vivarium are built. The latter two are linked by a central mall that offers access both to the “Lausanne-Vennes” metro station and to the car park. Each building has its own identity but is part of a coherent whole. The 1200-place car park forms the structural basis of the project. Its unusual shape follows the plot buildable perimeter, as well as the lay of the land, and has wide open views to the outside on all three levels. The hotel, with its 143 3* superior rooms, has a restaurant, a wellness area and several conference rooms.
The aquarium-vivarium constitutes a central part of the complex. Its organic, circular shape gives it a unique identity, reflecting its teaching and cultural missions. The ground floor provides a reception area for visitors, an entrance hall, a shop, a cloakroom and a restaurant, opening out to the South and with a terrace that overlooks the outdoor pool. The rest of the ground floor is dedicated to technology, essential to the functioning of the aquariums and animal care. Teaching areas on the first floor enable school parties to be accommodated, adding to the educational aspect of the visit. More than two million litres of fresh water, twenty different ecosystems, 10’000 fish and more than one hundred reptiles (transferred from the old vivarium in Lausanne) will offer the visitors a rich and varied experience.
Environmental and sustainable development aspects
The concepts of building physics and energy systems made it possible to provide an implementation which ensures rational use of energy and meets all sustainable development criteria. The recommended materials fall within this approach.
The components of the “exterior skin” of the buildings have also been upgraded, to improve both thermal performance and investment costs. In the same way, the link to the Services Industriels de la Ville de Lausanne (City of Lausanne Industrial Services) remote heating network, which relies on the incineration of household waste, enables the use of renewable energy, with low greenhouse gas emissions. The production of cold needed for air-conditioning the whole complex is achieved by high-performance equipment, which functions with environmentally-neutral fluids and maximise heat recovery. Central management of the two buildings in the hub optimises the synergies of the two types of user while ensuring very reliable functioning of the technical equipment as well as increased energy efficiency.
Built at the North of the city of Lausanne, the Aquatis Complex includes a 143-room hotel and an aquarium-vivarium. The hotel special “L” shape forms the boundary of the hub’s central area and shows it to best advantage. This space is the heart of the project – it houses the aquarium, which is a landmark in this “Fresh water complex”.
While the silk-screened glass façades of the hotel reflect the colours of the surrounding area and the vagaries of the weather, those of the aquarium, which are covered in 100’000 aluminium discs, shimmer as the wind blows. This effect is like that of fish scales shining in the sun or of waves on a body of water. Water is also found at ground level, between the two buildings, in an outdoor pool, which adds to this reflected play of light.
Programme
The Aquatis Complex is part of the “Biopôle », a science park centred on life sciences, developing fast in the northern area of Lausanne. It is a strategic location, where the orbital motorway around the city intersects with the new M2 Metro line. The development consists of a Park & Ride lot, on top of which a hotel and the aquarium-vivarium are built. The latter two are linked by a central mall that offers access both to the “Lausanne-Vennes” metro station and to the car park. Each building has its own identity but is part of a coherent whole. The 1200-place car park forms the structural basis of the project. Its unusual shape follows the plot buildable perimeter, as well as the lay of the land, and has wide open views to the outside on all three levels. The hotel, with its 143 3* superior rooms, has a restaurant, a wellness area and several conference rooms.
The aquarium-vivarium constitutes a central part of the complex. Its organic, circular shape gives it a unique identity, reflecting its teaching and cultural missions. The ground floor provides a reception area for visitors, an entrance hall, a shop, a cloakroom and a restaurant, opening out to the South and with a terrace that overlooks the outdoor pool. The rest of the ground floor is dedicated to technology, essential to the functioning of the aquariums and animal care. Teaching areas on the first floor enable school parties to be accommodated, adding to the educational aspect of the visit. More than two million litres of fresh water, twenty different ecosystems, 10’000 fish and more than one hundred reptiles (transferred from the old vivarium in Lausanne) will offer the visitors a rich and varied experience.
Environmental and sustainable development aspects
The concepts of building physics and energy systems made it possible to provide an implementation which ensures rational use of energy and meets all sustainable development criteria. The recommended materials fall within this approach.
The components of the “exterior skin” of the buildings have also been upgraded, to improve both thermal performance and investment costs. In the same way, the link to the Services Industriels de la Ville de Lausanne (City of Lausanne Industrial Services) remote heating network, which relies on the incineration of household waste, enables the use of renewable energy, with low greenhouse gas emissions. The production of cold needed for air-conditioning the whole complex is achieved by high-performance equipment, which functions with environmentally-neutral fluids and maximise heat recovery. Central management of the two buildings in the hub optimises the synergies of the two types of user while ensuring very reliable functioning of the technical equipment as well as increased energy efficiency.
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