Audemars Factory, exterior. Photo: Silke Lauffs, Berlin
Audemars Factory, exterior. Photo: Silke Lauffs, Berlin
Audemars Factory, exterior. Photo: Silke Lauffs, Berlin
Former Audemars Factory
Carlo and Rino Tami Architects, 1953; restoration project by Leuzinger Architekten, 2021–2024; construction: Lepori SA
Designed in 1946 and built between 1949 and 1950 as a pharmaceutical factory, the building originally housed laboratories, offices and garages, as well as the director’s apartment. The front is articulated into three volumes: a small central entrance hall flanked by the production wing and the office block. Its defining feature is the exposed reinforced-concrete structure, clearly separated from the infill. Tapered columns and floor slabs create a regular façade grid, alternating masonry panels with ribbon windows. The stairwell, illuminated by a glass-block wall, further reflects the building’s Rationalist language. The project marks Rino Tami’s move towards the principles of International Rationalism.
The visit will focus on the ground floor of the south wing (not renovated); a piece of research on the building and an unrealised conservation project will be presented.
Visiting hours
- Sunday October 25th
14:30 – 15:00
Registration is mandatoryFull tour, no more places available - Sunday October 25th
15:00 – 15:30
Registration is mandatoryFull tour, no more places available - Sunday October 25th
15:30 – 17:00
Free visit guided by Arch. Claudia Casaroli, with the possibility of accessing Janet Levy's art studio
Free visit
Guided tours by Claudia Casaroli and Remo Leuzinger, architects.
From 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm, accompanied visits by Arch. Claudia Casaroli, with the possibility of accessing the art studio of Janet Levy
Address
Via Cassarinetta 26
6900 Lugano
Public transportation
From Lugano FFS railway station:
Bus no. 2 towards Paradiso, Carzo, from platform A; get off at Lugano, Santa Birgitta, followed by an approximately 4-minute walk (290 m).
