An establishment with many flavours
Located in Kilchberg, Switzerland, designed by architects Christ & Gantenbein and built by Eiffage Switzerland as general contractor, the Lindt "Home of Chocolate" covers an area of 4,200 m2 and comprises:
- a research centre to develop projects jointly with universities of applied sciences and promote young chocolate-making talent in Switzerland,
- exhibition areas for the general public to learn more about the history of Lindt and chocolate (origin of cocoa, location in Switzerland, tasting sessions etc.),
- a chocolate factory offering introductory workshops in chocolate-making.
- the largest Lindt boutique in the world with an area of 500 m².
An architectural delight
The choice of materials for the façade is a tribute to the chocolate pioneers. Inspired by the historical brick building dating from 1899, it offers a modern reinterpretation of it.
The architecture of the three-storey Lindt - Home of Chocolate is resolutely contemporary.
The walls feature around 170,000 red bricks and 50,000 white bricks. The curved, white façade opens gracefully onto a fully glazed entrance.
Innovation and training, something for everyone
Spread over 1,500 m², the interactive exhibition delivers a scenography curated by Atelier Brückner, allowing spectators to discover the history of chocolate as well as its ecological, social and nutritional aspects.
The various aspects of chocolate will be learned in a sensory way through several innovative workshops.
In addition, La Lindt - Home of Chocolate presents itself as a specialised educational establishment for the initial and ongoing training of professionals and talented young Swiss chocolate makers, in collaboration with universities and colleges.
Also, it includes a training and research centre, the «Pilot Plant», specially designed for experiments and practical work.
In brief
This multimedia and interactive project, erected on 4,200 m² of land required four years of work and the excavation of around 70,000 m³ of soil. At 20 m high, the new building blends harmoniously with those in its surroundings.
The icing on the cake is that this gourmet temple is home to the world's largest chocolate fountain.
This 10 m-high attraction is proudly displayed in the centre of the museum's hall, and weighs 3 tonnes. 1 kilo of chocolate per second flows into the fountain – a real treat.
Project owner: LINDT Chocolate Competence Foundation, Kilchberg ZH
Architect: Christ & Gantenbein, Bâle Charpentier (associate architects), Builders & Partners (execution), Greenaffair (environment)
Engineering office: Terrell Group (structure), AVLS (acoustics), Barbanel (fluids), Arcora (façades).
Delivery: September 2019
