Residential homes for people and animals have been around for a long time and now exist in almost every large village. An institution that has become indispensable in today's society. The two car enthusiasts Adrian C. Gattiker and Christian Gell came up with the idea of setting up a home for cars in 2009. A new building for the first such "first car lounge" was opened in Feusisberg (SZ) in the fall of 2012.
With 2.75m wide, i.e. generously calculated parking spaces, Feusisberg offers 92 cars a shelter, protected from environmental influences such as cold, heat and moisture, but also against theft and vandalism.
Cars in the shell
Just four years later, the second Car Lounge was opened in central Switzerland in Emmen (LU), in the former Teba Sportcenter. This time not in a new building, but in a disused tennis hall owned by the well-known civil engineer Dipl. Ing. Heinz Isler. He was a great inventor and began to build larger halls without any supports. With the help of self-supporting concrete shells, the world's most important shell builder erected well over 1000 such halls. As is so often the case, the idea came about by chance: using frozen sheets, he discovered their stability and continued testing with plaster until he finally arrived at shells made of reinforced concrete.
"Wellness" for cars and owners
But now to the most important thing, the cars. Both halls (Feusisberg and Emmen) are flooded with plenty of daylight. Each parking space has its own power connection so that battery chargers do not need endless reels of cable.
The width of the parking spaces in Emmen has been increased to 2.95m, which should ensure that there are no injuries to your own car from your neighbors. All vehicles are deliberately lined up randomly and not according to brand or other criteria. Pyjamas are forbidden, and thanks to the dust protection they are not necessary, so that visitors can admire the objects at any time.
General security for the many very exclusive vehicles is of course a top priority. A lock system with bollards in front and behind the cars prevents them from driving in and out quickly. It would take much longer to clear the hall than for the police to arrive. With batch and pin monitoring, only registered persons are granted access to the parked vehicles. Smoke and fire monitoring is a matter of course. The sophisticated air conditioning and CO2 extraction system maintains a constant humidity of 50% to protect the vehicles from rust and mold. All vehicles are welcome, regardless of whether they are vintage or classic cars, racing cars or family saloons, monopostos or sports cars.
Of course, such a perfect place in the dormitory has its price. A monthly fee of CHF 300 plus VAT is due. In return, however, tenants can use the launch in addition to the parking lot. Drinks are free, a large screen TV and various specialist magazines, such as the "SwissClassics Revue", are available. The Launch can also be used for events with appropriate catering, such as birthdays or vehicle christenings. Like-minded people can get together and discuss cars in a cozy atmosphere or watch an F1 GP together on TV.
In addition to private use, there are two joint events a year for all tenants with aperitifs and a specialist presentation.
If you are still interested in one of the few free places, please contact Zwischengas. We will be happy to forward your request. Further information is also available on the Car Lounge website.
