In 2000, architect Mario Botta was commissioned to design the Centre Dürrenmatt in Neuchâtel. Built around 20th Swiss century author/painter Friedrich Dürrenmatt's 1952 residence, the Centre is a showcase for his work, managed by the Swiss National Library.

After two decades the Centre needed some renovations, and architecture firm KLR was called in. The decision was made to extend public access to the grounds, which required some design solutions; Dürrenmatt's old swimming pool had been condemned.

Rather than waste a lot of concrete filling in the old pool, KLR designed a way to turn it into a usable terrace with echoes of what once was:

Image: Hiris

Image: Hiris

Image: Hiris

Image: Hiris

Realizing it fell to wood fabrication firm LaPorch:

KLR says the terrace is used to host events, drinks, performances, et cetera. One thing that puzzles me: The Swiss don't strike me as the type to screw around with building codes, so I assume the surface is walkable. But I can't imagine someone trying to traverse it in, say, high heels.

Image: Hiris