Metropole Zentralschweiz

A photographic tour of modernist and contemporary architecture in the Lake Lucerne region of Switzerland presented in striking duotone images

Central Switzerland, the region around Lake Lucerne, is praised worldwide for the prettiness of its landscape and the dramatic mountain scenery. Agriculture and, from the late 19th century, tourism have been drivers of architectural development in the past. The growth of financial and other service industries and the dynamic and growing population of the nearby region of Zurich, Switzerland's largest city, have increasingly influenced the spacial development of the Lake Lucerne region in recent decades.

The striking photographs by Swiss photographer Guido Baselgia featured in this book document the work of local architects in this part of Switzerland since the 1920s. The images are complemented by discussion between Hilar Stadler and Martino Stierli and Valentin Groebner, Christian Schmid, Andreas Sonderegger, and Heinz Tännler on the history, the present and future of the Lake Lucerne region, socio-economic and demographic changes challenges and failures in spatial development and urban planning.

«Die Bilder bringen die Verletzlichkeit der Landschaft auf den Punkt. Es bleibt zu hoffen, dass das glänzende Cover den Politikern ins Auge springt und sie nach der Lektüre endlich ihre Hausaufgaben machen.» Andres Herzog, Hochparterre

Autorentext

Guido Baselgia, born 1953, did his education with the famous photography class at Zurich School of Art and Design (now Zurich University of the Arts ZHdK) from 1975-79. He lives and works as a freelance photographer in Switzerland and has contributed to numerous publications and exhibitions. BSA Zentralschweiz is one of eight independent member associations forming the Bund Schweizer Architekten BSA (Federation of Swiss Architects). BSA is one of the two major professional architectural societies in Switzerland. It has been established since 1908.