The project called for the development of a national traffic control center.
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In 2006 Ruessli Architects was retained to design the new facilities within an existing building on an area called „Sprengi“, situated next to the highway exit Emmen-Nord near Lucerne. The program focused on the “garage-building” at the entrance of the area. The ground floor was completely restructured and received an additional floor. The exterior was completely redesigned and the basement partially renovated. The goals were a more energy efficient shell, while Ruessli Architects also aspired to give a new, modern and representative appearance to VMZ-CH.
The building received a double skinned facade of yellow, orange and red tempered safety glass. These strong colors, lit by sunlight, lend the appearance of a traffic light. To enable the required 24 hour operation, special attention was given to interior lighting and HVAC to create a comfortable work environment. Traffic control is becoming more and more important through a steady increase in traffic information, its control, administration and regulation.