Stapferhaus

The Stapferhaus in Lenzburg was founded in 1960 as a place of encounter and intellectual debate.

Founders and founding site

The Stapferhaus was founded by the representatives of Pro Helvetia, Pro Argovia, the Canton Aargau and the City of Lenzburg. Philipp Albert Stapfer (1766-1840) is considered the founder of the Canton of Aargau. Today Sybille Lichtensteiger is head of the Stapferhaus.

In 1960 the Stapferhaus was at Lenzburg castle, which is named after Philipp Albert Stapfer. From 1960-1990 it was used for conferences and debates. Later in 1994 the format for its first exhibition "Anne Frank and us" was set under the direction of Hans Ulrich Garner.

From 2002-2018 the Stapferhaus functioned as an exhibition building at the Zeughaus in Lenzburg, while the offices were still located at Lenzburg castle.

In 2018 the Stapferhaus was given its first permanent building at Lenzburg railway station and is now used for both exhibition spaces and offices. The first exhibition in the new building, from 2018 until 2020, was "FAKE. The Whole Truth". The Building is designed to be constantly remodelled, which makes the architecture special. Stairs and walls in the building can be shifted, the floors can be opened, the façade and forecourt can be changed and re-designed.

Foundation

Since 2007 the Stapferhaus Foundation runs the Stapferhaus and is one of Canton Aargau's eleven cultural flagships.

Financing

The Stapferhaus is financed on a project basis. The financial requirements depend on the rhythm and size of the project. As an institution with national demand, the Stapferhaus is financed by public funds and its own operating income. It relies on the support of foundations, private partners and sponsors. In recent years the Stapferhaus Foundation has been one of the largest recipients of money from the Lottery Fund.

Foundation Board

The Stapferhaus Foundation is responsible for the strategic orientation of the cultural institution and securing its funding and determining the management of the house. The foundation board forms itself, but the Canton of Aargau and the City of Lenzburg have a representative in the committee. The canton also appoints the president of the foundation.

Mission

With its large thematic exhibitions, the Stapferhaus tries to deal with questions of the present. The goal is for visitors to share their knowledge and experiences and to confront their own perspectives.

Exhibitions

At the moment until mid-May 2022, the Stapferhaus has an exhibition in Gender and Sex.

• 1994: Anne Frank and us
  • Publication: Beat Hächler (ed.): Anne Frank and us. Chronos, Zürich 1995, ISBN 978-3-905311-71-6
• 1997: A walk on the wild side. Jugendszenen der Schweiz von den 30er Jahren bis heute
  • Publication: Barbara Rettenmund (ed.): A walk on the wild side. Jugendszenen der Schweiz von den 30er Jahren bis heute. Chronos, Zürich 1997, ISBN 978-3-905312-03-4
• 1999-2001: Last Minute. Eine Ausstellung zu Sterben und Tod
  • Hans-Ulrich Glarner (ed.): Last minute. Ein Buch zu Sterben und Tod. hier + jetzt, Baden 1999, ISBN 978-3-906419-05-3
• 2002: Autolust. Eine Ausstellung über die Emotionen des Autofahrens
  • Publication: Autolust. Ein Buch über Emotionen des Autofahrens. hier + jetzt, Baden 2002, ISBN 978-3-906419-29-9
• 2003: SuperAargau
• 2004-2005: Strafen (Punishment)
  • Publication: Nathalie Unternährer (ed.): Strafen. Ein Buch zur Strafkultur der Gegenwart. hier + jetzt, Baden 2004, ISBN 978-3-906419-82-4
• 2006-2007: Glaubenssache (Matter of Faith). Eine Ausstellung für Gläubige und Ungläubige
  • Nathalie Unternährer (ed.): Glaubenssache. Ein Buch für Gläubige und Ungläubige. hier + jetzt, Baden 2006, ISBN 978-3-03919-038-6
• 2009-2010: Nonstop. Eine Ausstellung über die Geschwindigkeit des Lebens
  • Publication: Nonstop. Ein Lese- und Hörbuch über die Geschwindigkeit des Lebens. hier + jetzt, Baden 2009, ISBN 978-3-03919-110-9
• 2010-2011: Home. Willkommen im digitalen Leben
  • Publication: Home - willkommen im digitalen Leben. hier + jetzt, Baden 2010, ISBN 978-3-03919-191-8
• 2012-2014: Entscheiden (Decision Making). Über das Leben im Supermarkt der Möglichkeiten
  • Publication: Entscheiden. Das Magazin zur Ausstellung. Stapferhaus, Lenzburg 2014, ISBN 978-3-033-03632-1
• 2014-2016: Geld. Jenseits von Gut und Böse
  • Publication: Michael Fässler (ed.): Geld - jenseits von Gut und Böse. Stapferhaus, Lenzburg 2014.
• 2017-2018: Heimat. Eine Grenzerfahrung
  • Publication: Heimat - eine Grenzerfahrung. NZZ Libro, Zürich 2017, ISBN 978-3-03810-256-4
• 2018-2020: FAKE. The whole Truth
  • Publication: Fake. Das Magazin. Stapferhaus, Lenzburg 2018, ISBN 978-3-907291-17-7
• 2020-2022: Gender and Sex. Discover now
  • Publication: Sibylle Lichtensteiger (ed.). Geschlecht. Jetzt entdecken. NZZ Libro, Basel 2020, ISBN 978-3-907291-17-7

Awards and Nominations

Awards

In 2020 the Stapferhaus won the European Museum of the Year Award. It won the prize for its changeable building and its exhibition work. The Stapferhaus won and was nominated for several other awards over the years:

• 2019: Best Architects Award, award in "public building"
• 2019: European Design Awards (*EDWARDS), silver award in "exhibition design"
• 2019: MUSE Design Awards, platinum-award in "Interior"
• 2020: AIT Award, special mention
• 2021: IDA Design Awards, bronze award in the categories "Zines/Flyers" and "Print/Editorial" for "FAKE. Das Magazin"
• 2021: Award with the Swiss LGBTI-Label
• 2021: Award for Marketing and Architecture, category audience construction, sports complex, hospitals, train stations, school buildings, cultural constructions.
• 2021: Swiss Print Award, silver in the category "Publications" for the book "Gender"
• 2021: Prix Lignum, recognition award
• 2021: Best in Heritage, Projects of Influence, third place

Nominations

• 2018: Hochparterre Die Besten
• 2019: Archmarathon-Worldwide Architecture Award
• 2019: Archmarathon - Worldwide Architecture Award, nominated in "Arts & Culture"
• 2020/2021: Dasa Award, European Academy Nomination, among the last three institutions