DESIGN PROBLEM How to bring the Observatory’s history to life? Stories and Time is an exhibition project designed for the Hirsch Pavilion, one of the buildings on the Observatory site. It was built in 1912 thanks to the money that the first director Adolphe Hirsch (1830-1901) bequeathed to the Neuchâtel government when he died. The building celebrated Hirsch’s memory but also offered a location for new scientific instruments and activities. From the outside, the Pavilion looks like a coherent ensemble whereas each space inside has its own architectural particularity and scientific function. Therefore, in its interior, it is possible to see the Art Nouveau decorations made by the pupils of Charles L'Eplattenier (1874-1946), one of Le Corbusier's professors. It also preserves two exceptional scientific instruments: the big Zeiss telescope and, in the basement, the Quervain-Piccard seismograph. The Hirsch Pavilion, like the Observatory buildings, belongs to the Neuchâtel Canton. It is a heritage protected building.
Adolphe Hirsch Memorial with Art Nouveau decorations
Zeiss telescope in the astronomical dome
Quervain-Piccard seismograph in the basement
Displaying the history of time measurement is a complex process. On the one hand, it has to take into account many notions (scientific, technical, historical, economic notions, etc.) which must be organized in order to produce effective storytelling. On the other hand, scientific instruments themselves, as well as watches and clocks, are difficult objects to exhibit, because without any adequate explanations they look meaningless and almost “dead” to individuals who do not possess specific technical skills or training.
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