03.09.2020
The Lucerne Library is of national importance. It has always been known throughout Switzerland as progressive. Its total stock of books is estimated at 1.5 million, of which some 50,000 books are now available to the public in the Presence Library after its reopening. The architects were looking for a special and robust type of wood for the interior fittings in order to meet the requirements of the time-honored building, the interior fittings in terms of preservation of historical monuments and the demands of daily use. This was different in the 1970s and 1980s. At that time, renovations were always carried out using the latest materials. As a result, plastics or carpets replaced the original materials in the interior finishing of many old buildings. "Today architecture and interior design have a different understanding of renovation. The emphasis is on originality, if possible combined with intelligent high-tech production. This benefited our veneers," says Tobias Scherg, member of the management board of Roser AG, Birsfelden, and head of the Veneer Division, explaining the architects' choice of materials.
"In our generously designed konzept.raum we worked out individual 1:1 situations with the architects. This served as a reference for the subsequent implementation of our ideas in line with the concept. Our choice fell on 'Ulme Stone'. This is an elm veneer, which is changed in color using a natural process. An iron/tannin reaction gives the wood a natural and warm tone and blends in discreetly with the building. Thanks to this technical process, it was possible to create a homogenous color for all veneered interior fittings, including the parquet flooring and the stair steps," says Scherg, explaining the planning and technical process. Roser AG is particularly proud of the optimized interlocking manufacturing process. Thanks to digital data transfer with the company's own cutting center, the many different parts can first be cut in the ideal sequence and then delivered on time. "This enables us to achieve significant savings. Both customer and material benefit from our efficient supply chain management," concludes Scherg.
Now guests of Lucerne's Central and University Library can enjoy not only the many books and collections, but also the subtle qualities of the original building. "The elm veneer is thereby timeless and of lasting value. It is also robust enough to withstand the daily demands. With this choice of material, the architects are demonstrating their high ecological responsibility," says Ursula Geismann, managing director of the Furnier + Natur e.V. initiative. (IFN).
Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN)
The Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) e.V. was founded in 1996 by the German veneer industry and its partners. Today, it is supported by European companies from the veneer industry, trade and veneer processing industry as well as professional associations of the timber industry. The aim of the association is to promote the natural all-round material veneer.
photo 1: The veneered bookshelves of Lucerne Central and University Library are robust, ecological and timeless. Photo: Roser AG
Photo 2: Separate areas of Lucerne's Central and University Library allow for concentrated and quiet work. Photo: Roser AG
photo 3: Due to the floating ceiling, the architecture appears light and elegant. Veneer is the first choice for ecological, warm and individual materials. Photo: Roser AG
Lucerne Central and University Library: Fine veneers refine the interior
Bonn. The city of Lucerne is the social and cultural center of Central Switzerland. It is obvious that the canton's central and university library has been located there since 1951. After some back and forth, a citizens' decision has resulted in the restoration of the aging building. In December 2019, the extensive renovation work was completed and the library reopened in new splendor. Special emphasis was placed on materials that were already used in the new building, which is now a listed building. Lucerne architects Thomas Lussi and Remo Halter responsibly mastered this complex task, using veneer from Roser AG, a member company of the Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN).The Lucerne Library is of national importance. It has always been known throughout Switzerland as progressive. Its total stock of books is estimated at 1.5 million, of which some 50,000 books are now available to the public in the Presence Library after its reopening. The architects were looking for a special and robust type of wood for the interior fittings in order to meet the requirements of the time-honored building, the interior fittings in terms of preservation of historical monuments and the demands of daily use. This was different in the 1970s and 1980s. At that time, renovations were always carried out using the latest materials. As a result, plastics or carpets replaced the original materials in the interior finishing of many old buildings. "Today architecture and interior design have a different understanding of renovation. The emphasis is on originality, if possible combined with intelligent high-tech production. This benefited our veneers," says Tobias Scherg, member of the management board of Roser AG, Birsfelden, and head of the Veneer Division, explaining the architects' choice of materials.
"In our generously designed konzept.raum we worked out individual 1:1 situations with the architects. This served as a reference for the subsequent implementation of our ideas in line with the concept. Our choice fell on 'Ulme Stone'. This is an elm veneer, which is changed in color using a natural process. An iron/tannin reaction gives the wood a natural and warm tone and blends in discreetly with the building. Thanks to this technical process, it was possible to create a homogenous color for all veneered interior fittings, including the parquet flooring and the stair steps," says Scherg, explaining the planning and technical process. Roser AG is particularly proud of the optimized interlocking manufacturing process. Thanks to digital data transfer with the company's own cutting center, the many different parts can first be cut in the ideal sequence and then delivered on time. "This enables us to achieve significant savings. Both customer and material benefit from our efficient supply chain management," concludes Scherg.
Now guests of Lucerne's Central and University Library can enjoy not only the many books and collections, but also the subtle qualities of the original building. "The elm veneer is thereby timeless and of lasting value. It is also robust enough to withstand the daily demands. With this choice of material, the architects are demonstrating their high ecological responsibility," says Ursula Geismann, managing director of the Furnier + Natur e.V. initiative. (IFN).
Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN)
The Initiative Furnier + Natur (IFN) e.V. was founded in 1996 by the German veneer industry and its partners. Today, it is supported by European companies from the veneer industry, trade and veneer processing industry as well as professional associations of the timber industry. The aim of the association is to promote the natural all-round material veneer.
photo 1: The veneered bookshelves of Lucerne Central and University Library are robust, ecological and timeless. Photo: Roser AG
Photo 2: Separate areas of Lucerne's Central and University Library allow for concentrated and quiet work. Photo: Roser AG
photo 3: Due to the floating ceiling, the architecture appears light and elegant. Veneer is the first choice for ecological, warm and individual materials. Photo: Roser AG
The veneered bookshelves of Lucerne Central and University Library are robust, ecological and timeless. Photo: Roser AG
Separate areas of Lucerne's Central and University Library allow for concentrated and quiet work. Photo: Roser AG
Due to the floating ceiling, the architecture appears light and elegant. Veneer is the first choice for ecological, warm and individual materials. Photo: Roser AG