WBSC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland by Enrico Muscioni

Article source: Enrico Muscioni

The project for the new WBSC headquarters in Lausanne is the result of a formal, sensorial challenge, which has as its main goal the ability to combine in a single architectural work the HISTORY of this sport and its FUTURE-oriented vision.

The HISTORY of Baseball and Softball itself, which dates back to the early 1800s, is full of epic moments. Painstaking analysis and research were conducted into these and other elements typical of these sport disciplines, such as the bat, the glove, the diamond, the ball, the red stitching and the Home Plate. The role of the baseball player is always at the heart of these elements. The rules of the game consist of “moments and episodes” where the individual, which is part of a team, is capable of heroic feats. Not surprisingly, this sport has been extensively featured in films that have made a huge, lasting impact on billions of cinemagoers.

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

• Architects: Enrico Muscioni
• Project: WBSC headquarters
• Location: Lausanne, Switzerland

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

The FUTURE is shaped by the daily work of the WBSC. A “team” of passionate professionals who are constantly committed to promoting this sport, with its competitive, educational and evolutionary spirit. A tireless work ethic that projects Baseball and Softball more and more into the future, demonstrating how they can be adapted to flexible contemporary life, which also translates into potential reinterpretations of this sport.

The new headquarters will be located in a historic building on Avenue General Guisan, overlooking Lake Geneva, in Lausanne. HISTORY.

A contemporary approach to interior design will be adopted for this project, which will involve the use of contrasting architectural styles while respecting the historical features of the building, thus formally representing the FUTURE.

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

The project is intended to address functional requirements by placing these conceptual references in every corner of the building, reflected in the interior layout in order to offer a sensory experience related to the Baseball and Softball world, conceived as an archaic place and a museum exhibition.

This minimalist, contemporary interior design project was conceived with the aim of preserving the outer shell of this HISTORICAL villa, without altering the overall look of the building itself. Its spaces are redesigned by creating the illusion of a transformation thanks to the use of the elements typical of this sport. The fact that they have been positioned in strategic areas inside the building contributes to defining spaces both functionally and strategically. Home Plate, the Diamond, the bat, the ball and the red stitching are housed in the existing building, generating a formal contrast where History and Future come together. Spaces are shaped by “episodes” which, in turn, mark time, uncompromisingly defining the whole floor plan of the building and generating clear flows of movement within it.

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

The interior is designed to create a beautiful, calm and peaceful environment with a new dimension that contributes to a tangible perception of Baseball and Softball.

The entrance to the main hall stands out, in particular, for the large home plate sign placed on the floor. Two steps, conceived to be like a home plate, point the way to the reception desk, which was intended to have the same plan as the Diamond, with a simple, tactile appeal.

There is a constant interaction between the two top parts of these inflexible, contrasting shapes, with one resembling the shape of the other as in an actual field. A calm, peaceful, almost monastic space, devoid of decorations, where one can breathe in the atmosphere of Baseball and Softball.

A diagonal, load-bearing partition wall is to be demolished, making this area more spacious just like a field, allowing the whole depth of the building to be perceived.

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

This perception was also achieved diagonally, where the demolition of non-load-bearing walls, replaced with both fixed and movable glass walls, contributed to provide a deeper perspective effect across the width of the building through the offices, purposefully located around the perimeter of the building.

The fact that there are no superfluous elements, but rather simple shapes outlined by the new spaces and contemporary sculptural elements, has made it possible to create a well-lit, welcoming space that enhances the authentic look of the imposing historical walls, vertically accentuated with lighting fixtures installed on the floor and with leather, which is kept authentic and rough in contrast to the soft touch finish of the new functional partitions. White marble flooring materials were chosen for the common areas, which, along with the wooden panelling bearing the symbol of the Home Plate, give this space a timeless elegance.

The sculptural staircase is the beating heart of the project.

A plastic, contemporary shape is intended to symbolically recreate the movement of the batter’s body as he hits the ball. Impressive, light and sinuous, it dominates this three-dimensional space since it is always visible from every room of the building, and therefore not only becomes a continuous vertical element that connects all four floors, but also reflects the Federation’s future-oriented vision. It is placed at the centre, opposite the circular, white marble and red glass cladded lift, which freezes in time the “ball” element with its red stitching.

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

The administration office is on the ground floor, as well as the lounge, located right next to the reception area and the large meeting room, which has the same number of seats as the number of board members.

The floor plan of the entrance hall on the first floor has an organic architectural design. The layout consists of a three-dimensional white plastic shape, which freezes the baseball glove in time and houses the Secretary General’s office. Next to it are the President’s office and the Director’s office, with an adjoining private meeting room. On the sides there are offices dedicated to the organisation of events.

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

On the second floor there will be more multi-station offices, vertically bordering the suspended meeting room.

All technological equipment, the archive, the novelty preparation and storage area, and the recreational area for the members of the Federation will be located in the basement. A large oblong room houses temporary offices where travelling members of the Federation and guests can work.

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

Image Courtesy © Enrico Muscioni

Tags: Lausanne, Switzerland

Categories: Headquarters, Offices

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