A prototype design for the main auditorium of the University of Luxembourg’s Kirchberg campus, aptly named “The Cloud,” was unveiled in Luxembourg on Monday. The event was marked by a ceremony attended by university dignitaries, representatives of the André Losch Foundation Luxembourg, and various members of the community. Positioned as the gateway to the University’s Kirchberg campus, the structure is projected to be completed and commissioned by 2025.
Design Selection and Concept
Following a selective architectural competition, the design for the auditorium was awarded to SANAA dezeen of Japan, in collaboration with Fabeck Architects, a distinguished firm based in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Situated along the prominent Boulevard J.F. Kennedy, “The Cloud” has been envisioned as a pivotal reference point for the urban development of the University of Luxembourg’s Kirchberg Campus. The building will encompass an area of 4,000 m², accommodating classrooms, seminar rooms, and practical training facilities. The design blueprint also incorporates two auditoriums, each with a capacity of 40 seats, along with versatile multifunctional spaces, offices, and catering amenities. Notably, a grand conference room with a capacity to host 450 attendees is also an integral part of the architectural plan.
Funding and Vision
Completely underwritten by the André Losch Foundation, the upcoming auditorium will subsequently be handed over to the State upon completion, to be made accessible to the University of Luxembourg. This educational institution will utilize the facility for instructional purposes as well as the organization of scientific and cultural events. In commemoration of the unveiling, Prof. Stéphane Pallage, the University’s Rector, expressed his satisfaction, characterizing the collaboration with the André Losch Foundation as gratifying. He emphasized the University community’s pride in the enduring partnership with the Foundation, highlighting the forthcoming building’s potential to considerably enhance the University’s Kirchberg campus infrastructure, thereby positively impacting the quality of education, research, and scholarship.
Affirming Commitment
In response, Pit Reckinger, President of the André Losch Foundation, joyfully affirmed the Foundation’s commitment to having the auditorium ready for commissioning and University use by 2025. He lauded the project as a flagship embodiment of the visionary ideals of the Foundation’s founder, André Losch. The core objective of the Foundation’s vision is the development of the youth populace through formal education and knowledge acquisition. Reckinger expressed profound appreciation for the University’s enthusiasm and the support extended by the state.
André Losch Foundation in Perspective
Recognized as a Luxembourgish non-profit foundation of common interest, the André Losch Foundation has established a longstanding partnership with the University of Luxembourg. The Foundation’s involvement has encompassed support for research initiatives related to Parkinson’s disease, undertaken at the University’s Luxembourg Center for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB). Moreover, the Foundation has recently contributed to funding research endeavors linked to COVID-19 and provided food vouchers for students to mitigate the pandemic’s impact. Its scope of support spans education, healthcare, scientific exploration, and social cohesion, with a particular emphasis on initiatives that benefit young individuals.
Prominent Architectural Collaboration
SANAA dezeen, helmed by architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, is renowned for illustrious accomplishments including the Samaritaine in Paris, the Sydney Modern Art Gallery, the Grace Farms nature and cultural center in Connecticut, the Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest, the Naoshima Port Terminal in Japan, and the Rolex Learning Center in Lausanne. The founders, Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, were recipients of the esteemed Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2010.
Conclusion
“The Cloud,” a forthcoming faculty building, symbolizes the University of Luxembourg’s commitment to visionary progress and collaborative partnerships, poised to become a transformative hub for academic and cultural endeavors on its Kirchberg Campus.