anish kapoor and arata isozaki's inflatable 'ark nova' concert hall rises in switzerland

anish kapoor & arata isozaki’s Ark Nova returns in switzerland

The Ark Nova, a mobile concert hall conceived by artist Anish Kapoor, the late architect Arata Isozaki (1931-2022), and collaborators Masahide Kajimoto and Michael Haefliger, rises as both artwork and architectural experiment on the Lidowiese in Switzerland for Lucerne Festival, running until September 14th, 2025. Originally created in 2013 in the aftermath of the Fukushima earthquake (find designboom’s previous coverage here), this inflatable structure was designed as a symbol of hope, its temporary, ethereal form carrying music, light, and human resilience. For its 2025 Swiss debut, the Ark Nova offers eleven days of concerts ranging from classical and folk to jazz and pop, while functioning simultaneously as a sculptural installation, a venue, and an immersive exhibition space.

all images by Seraina Wirz, unless stated otherwise

From Lucerne Festival concert hall to Living Exhibition

The Ark Nova’s architecture is defined by its mobility and flexibility. Visitors can experience its interior either during the Lucerne Festival performances or as part of guided tours, which reveal the hall’s design logic, engineering, and conceptual foundations. Apart from performances, each ticket grants access to a special exhibition at the Hans Erni Museum, where models, documents, and films trace the hall’s development from concept to reality.

The presence of the structure on Lucerne’s lakeside transforms the public space into an ephemeral cultural hub, allowing interaction, open exploration, and even participatory musical experiences, from sing-alongs to workshops. Three Open4All sessions, as well as family-focused days, invite visitors to traverse the hall freely, highlighting the Ark Nova’s adaptability and social mission alongside its aesthetic qualities.

the Ark Nova is a mobile concert hall

conceived by artist Anish Kapoor and the late architect Arata Isozaki

the structure rises as both artwork and architectural experiment

originally created in 2013 in the aftermath of the Fukushima earthquake

the installation hosts the Lucerne Festival, running until September 14th, 2025

for its 2025 Swiss debut, the Ark Nova offers eleven days of concerts

functioning as a sculptural installation, a venue, and an immersive exhibition space

the Ark Nova’s architecture is defined by its mobility and flexibility

visitors can experience its interior either during performances or as part of guided tours

each ticket grants access to a special exhibition at the Hans Erni Museum

the presence of the structure on Lucerne’s lakeside transforms the public space

at night, the structure glows with magenta hues

conceived in collaboration with Masahide Kajimoto and Michael Haefliger

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Anish Kapoor and Arata Isozaki’s Ark Nova rises again in Lucerne

models, documents, and films trace the hall’s development from concept to reality at Hans Erni Museum

an ephemeral cultural hub

allowing interaction, open exploration, and even participatory musical experiences

three Open4All sessions, as well as family-focused days, invite visitors to traverse the hall freely

highlighting the Ark Nova’s adaptability and social mission

the interior reveals the hall’s design logic, engineering, and conceptual foundations

project info:

name: Ark Nova

architect / collaborators: Anish Kapoor | @dirty_corner, Arata Isozaki, Masahide Kajimoto, Michael Haefliger

festival: Lucerne Festival | @lucernefestival

location: Lidowiese, Lucerne, Switzerland

dates: September 4th – 14th, 2025

photographer: Seraina Wirz | @serainawirz_afaf