Festival Hall, Amriswil

A house for festive occasions as central place for the whole region demands a strong identity. The conspicuous appearance of its crystalline volume makes it a focal point for cultural life. With its loosened-up shape, the large volume fits into a rurally determined city. Seemingly introvert, a – from roof top to base level – integrated front conceals its inner workings. Only the main entrance is accentuated by breaking up the uniform façade. The complex shape arises from the combination of the present parameters: the specific interpretation of the programme, the locations of the small town and the desired identification effect from the festival.
The primary demand to provide a suitable framework for the celebration in the interior is met by the erection of a five-cornered central festival hall. A free polygonal outer shape allows an onion-shaped arrangement of the serving rooms around its core. Spatial tension is created by the concentric order around the main room. A central space highlights the importance of the celebration with people at the centre of attention. Leaving a strong mark on the external perception, the roof also unfolds its effect in the interior reaching its zenith high above the heads of the visitors. The roof bend itself centres the room and the house in a non-concentric location.