Part workspace, part archive, part exhibition gallery, the Archaeological Center Augusta Raurica represents the first headquarters for a significant cultural institution safeguarding the largest Roman site in Switzerland. Phase one of construction of the excavation center in the village of Augst near Basel, Switzerland of 4,200 square meters is completed – and a further 5,200 square meters are currently being added as phase two of the LafargeHolcim Awards prize winning project by Karamuk Kuo Architects from Zurich.

Monika Gschwind, President of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft Government, praised Karamuk Kuo Architects of Zurich for their project to create an excavation center in the village of Augst: “You are working on the future in a historic environment,” she said. The Chief architect of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft, Marco Frigerio, confirmed that construction of the flexible and functional low-tech building will start in early-2019.

The days when the sustainability of a construction project was a matter of ad hoc measures are over – sustainable construction has become systematic and specific. This was emphatically shown by the results of the Holcim Awards in region Europe: The first prize was shared by two projects in Brussels, both of which excel in terms of their multi-functionality.

Part workspace, part archive, part exhibition, the archaeological excavation center presents the first headquarters for a significant yet financially challenged cultural institution safeguarding the largest Roman site in Switzerland. Offices, restoration labs, workshops, and storage, previously dispersed in various buildings, are united within a robust and economical spatial system that emphasizes visual transparency and a common identity. Equally pragmatic as it is expressive, the lightweight steel structure balanced on top of ancient ruins provides a continuous and flexible field condition that anticipates future change and growth. Low-tech solutions are favored over high-tech construction.

Flexibility and evolution

The ability of the building to adapt with the changing needs of the future is central to the concept of the project. The collection of artifacts, currently at 1.7 million, grows daily. At the same time, the nature of the different departments, from archaeology and conservation, to research and marketing, have also evolved and will continue to do so as new technologies and working methods become available. An organizational system of alternating structural bands allows individual rooms to expand or contract while ensuring clear circulation for people, artifacts, and technical services. At the same time, the linearity of the system allows the construction to be easily phased and extended over time while always appearing complete at any given moment.