EPFL Pavilions
EPFL Pavilions was a free-admission cultural exhibition space at EPFL Lausanne, presenting technology-driven art-science exhibitions and installations to the public, academic community, and school groups from 2016 until its June 2025 closure.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersLausanne, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What EPFL Pavilions does
EPFL Pavilions (formerly ArtLab) was a cultural exhibition space operated by EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology campus in Lausanne, Switzerland, founded in 2016 and rebranded in 2020. Operating under EPFL's Collège des Humanités, it functioned as a free-admission public cultural institution dedicated to dialogue at the intersection of art, science, and society, serving the EPFL academic community, the broader Swiss public, school groups, and international visitors. Its portfolio of exhibitions and installations explored themes including computational music, robotics, AI, cyber-physical architecture, digital heritage preservation, and light biology, leveraging EPFL research lab access to produce technology-rich installations such as the AI-driven LightSeries (LightWing II, LightTank II, LightSense, LightScale II), ultra-high-resolution artwork scanning systems, and immersive 3D projection environments. Core underlying technologies included 3D cultural heritage scanning, AI-trained interactive installations (e.g., a neural network trained on 60,000 poems for generative dialogue), machine-learning-generated sculptures, augmented reality, and large-scale stereoscopic projection. The venue, designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, hosted dozens of exhibitions and operated a global traveling exhibition program extending to Chinese museums and MIT Museum Boston. Funding derived from EPFL's parent budget, Swiss federal cultural grants, Loterie Romande, and multiple private foundations and corporate sponsors; all exhibitions were offered free to visitors. EPFL Pavilions announced permanent closure on June 29, 2025, due to the EPFL Double Deck construction project, with the Pavilions A and B buildings to be repurposed for student work and eventual conversion into a Visitor Centre by 2028.
EPFL Pavilions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EPFL Pavilions
- Legal name
- EPFL Pavilions
- Website
- https://epfl-pavilions.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Closed
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- EPFL Pavilions was a free-admission cultural exhibition space at EPFL Lausanne, presenting technology-driven art-science exhibitions and installations to the public, academic community, and school groups from 2016 until its June 2025 closure.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EPFL Pavilions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Museum and Cultural Services
- NAICS
- Museums (712110)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts, Crafts & Maker Fairs (MPAGAFAJ)
Keywords
Where EPFL Pavilions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lausanne
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
EPFL Pavilions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Public Institution Funding: EPFL Pavilions operates as a cultural center under the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), funded through public educational institutions, government cultural funding, and private partnerships rather than direct visitor revenue. All exhibitions offer free admission.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
EPFL Pavilions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EPFL Pavilions operates as a public cultural exhibition venue on the EPFL campus in Lausanne, presenting rotating exhibitions and immersive installations that explore the intersection of art, science, and emerging technologies. Offerings include curated exhibitions featuring AI-driven interactive installations, 3D scanning and digital heritage preservation, immersive projection environments, kinetic robotics, and educational programs, with all exhibitions offered free of admission and a traveling exhibition program extending reach globally.
Product overview
EPFL Pavilions is a cultural exhibition space at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne that serves as a platform for dialogue between art, science, and society. The organization operates as a multi-venue exhibition center with Pavilions A and B, offering rotating exhibitions and installations that explore the intersection of technology and artistic expression. The portfolio includes major exhibitions such as Musica ex Machina (algorithmic music), Cyber Physical (cyber-physical architecture), Deep Fakes (digital art replication), and the LightSeries collection featuring four kinetic AI-driven installations (LightWing II, LightTank II, LightSense, LightScale II). The venue also presents touring exhibitions globally, traveling shows to museums worldwide including MIT Museum and Chinese institutions, and provides educational programs including guided tours, accessible visits in French Sign Language, and school offerings. The organization operated under the name ArtLab from 2016 to 2020 before rebranding to EPFL Pavilions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Musica ex Machina: Machines Thinking Musically Exhibition exploring the history of computational and algorithmic thinking in music, featuring live performances with AI systems and interactive musical installations.
- Shapes: Patterns in Art and Science Exhibition exploring connections between art, science, and mathematics through geometric patterns, featuring the Quadratis mathematical puzzle.
- HALOS Exhibition presented by the CDH AiR Program Enter the Hyper-Scientific.
- Cyber Physical: Architecture in Real Time Exhibition featuring four immersive installations (LightWing II, LightTank II, LightSense, LightScale II) exploring cyber-physical architecture with 3D projections, augmented reality, and AI-driven interactive environments.
- Artificial Architecture: Machines and Dystopian Dreams Exhibition presenting five years of EPFL Media and Design Lab research on AI and architecture fusion through immersive projections and design prototypes.
- Lighten Up! On Biology and Time Exhibition exploring light, biology, and circadian rhythms with works by Olafur Eliasson and other artists.
- Cosmos Archaeology: Explorations in Time and Space Exhibition on cosmic exploration featuring astronomical visualizations, digital reconstructions, and scientific imaging.
- Deep Fakes: Art and Its Double Exhibition examining the power of digital replicas of artistic treasures, featuring 21 installations exploring AI in art reproduction, heritage conservation, and the authenticity of digital objects.
- Nature of Robotics: An Expanded Field Exhibition blending contemporary art installations with cutting-edge robotics research from EPFL laboratories.
Companies that use EPFL Pavilions
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
EPFL Pavilions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability11 records
Feature4 records
EPFL Pavilions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.
- MIT MuseummajorHosting traveling exhibition Lighten Up! after its run at EPFL Pavilions and Winterthur. Represents ongoing relationship for exhibition circulation.
- Museums WinterthurmajorFirst stop for traveling Lighten Up! exhibition before MIT Museum. Swiss museum partnership for exhibition circulation.
- Various Chinese MuseumsmajorHosting traveling Cosmos Archaeology exhibition at multiple Chinese venues including Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing. Partnerships with Chinese cultural institutions for exhibition circulation.
- University of Auckland - arc/sec LabcoreResearch collaboration with arc/sec Lab led by Prof. Uwe Rieger and Yinan Liu for Cyber Physical exhibition. The lab developed LightSeries installations (LightWing II, LightTank II, LightSense, LightScale II) exploring cyber-physical architecture.
- madd-bordeaux (Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design)majorFrench museum partnering for Nanda Vigo exhibition with EPFL Pavilions creating immersive installation for the show.
- École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)coreParent institution. EPFL Pavilions operates as the cultural platform of EPFL, with EPFL providing institutional infrastructure, research expertise from various labs (eM+, Laboratory for Experimental Museology), and academic connections. Prof. Sarah Kenderdine serves as both Director of EPFL Pavilions and Head of EPFL's Laboratory for Experimental Museology.
- University of Lausanne (UNIL)coreCo-organizer of major exhibitions including Deep Fakes: Art and Its Double. Collaboration with UNIL's Section d'histoire de l'art, dhCenter UNIL-EPFL, and various UNIL researchers and labs for exhibition development and scholarly programming.
- Loterie RomandemajorMajor partner of Deep Fakes exhibition and other major exhibitions. Swiss lottery organization providing cultural funding to Romandy region cultural institutions.
- Office Fédéral de la Culture (Swiss Federal Office of Culture)majorMajor partner providing government cultural funding and support for exhibitions including Deep Fakes: Art and Its Double.
- Fondation pour l'Université de LausannemajorMajor partner supporting exhibitions through foundation funding for the collaboration between EPFL and University of Lausanne.
- Société Académique VaudoisesupportingPartner organization supporting academic and cultural initiatives in the Canton of Vaud.
- Foundation LeenaardssupportingSwiss cultural foundation providing funding support for exhibitions and cultural programs.
- UBS Culture FoundationsupportingUBS bank's cultural foundation supporting cultural institutions and art initiatives.
- SICPAsupportingSwiss company providing sponsorship support for exhibitions.
- ArcTron 3DsupportingGerman heritage specialists providing 3D scanning technology for cultural heritage digitization projects including Abbey Saint Michel Bamberg.
- Digital ProjectionsupportingTechnology provider for 3D projection systems used in Deep Fakes exhibition, enabling ground-breaking 3D technology for artwork presentation.
- CultLab 3D (Fraunhofer Institute)supportingFraunhofer research institute contributing 3D scanning technology for cultural heritage digitization in Deep Fakes exhibition.
- ScanLAB ProjectssupportingUK-based 3D scanning company contributing to heritage digitization projects in exhibitions.
- UbisoftsupportingVideo game company providing 3D assets from Assassin's Creed Unity for Notre-Dame de Paris digital reconstruction in Deep Fakes exhibition.
- ARTMYNsupportingArt technology company providing next-generation scanning and visualization technology for artwork presentation in Deep Fakes exhibition.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
EPFL Pavilions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- teamLab: Tokyo-based interdisciplinary art collective producing large-scale immersive digital installations. Comparable to EPFL Pavilions' LightSeries and Cyber Physical exhibitions in immersive digital artistry and touring exhibition model.
- Science Gallery International: Global network of public-facing venues that fuse science and art for young adult audiences. Compares to EPFL Pavilions in its mission to bridge scientific research and public engagement through experimental exhibitions.
- ZKM Center for Art and Media: Karlsruhe-based museum and research center for media and digital art. Directly comparable as a cultural institution combining exhibitions, research, and immersive technology-driven art experiences.
- Barbican Centre: London arts centre with significant art-science programming, including long-running AI/tech-themed exhibitions and the AI: More Than Human show. Comparable in presenting art-science crossover exhibitions to mass audiences.
- Mudam Luxembourg – Musée d'Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean: Luxembourg contemporary art museum housed in a I.M. Pei-designed building, hosting art-tech crossover exhibitions. Comparable in its architectural distinction and programming that intersects contemporary art with technology and science.
- Ars Electronica: Linz-based institution operating at the intersection of art, technology, and society, with a Prix Ars Electronica award, exhibitions, and a research lab. Closely comparable to EPFL Pavilions in its art-science focus and experimental curatorship.
Broad incumbents
- Tate Modern: London's flagship modern and contemporary art museum. Comparable as a globally recognized cultural institution touring exhibitions internationally, though broader in art period and genre than EPFL Pavilions.
- Museum of Old and New Art (MONA): Tasmania-based privately funded museum mixing art, science, and technology in provocative exhibitions. Comparable in its boundary-pushing art-science programming and willingness to invest in unconventional exhibition formats.
- Centre Pompidou: Major Paris-art museum with broader collections in modern and contemporary art. Comparable as a tier-one European cultural institution but with a much wider art historical scope than EPFL Pavilions' art-science niche.
Regional players
- Heureka (Finnish Science Centre): Finnish science centre producing interactive exhibitions and immersive experiences linking science and society. Compares to EPFL Pavilions in its immersive science-communication approach, though operating in a different Nordic geography.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses3 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
EPFL Pavilions social profiles
Digital presenceEPFL Pavilions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EPFL Pavilions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
EPFL Pavilions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EPFL Pavilions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about EPFL Pavilions
What does EPFL Pavilions do?
EPFL Pavilions operates as a public cultural exhibition venue on the EPFL campus in Lausanne, presenting rotating exhibitions and immersive installations that explore the intersection of art, science, and emerging technologies. Offerings include curated exhibitions featuring AI-driven interactive installations, 3D scanning and digital heritage preservation, immersive projection environments, kinetic robotics, and educational programs, with all exhibitions offered free of admission and a traveling exhibition program extending reach globally.
Is EPFL Pavilions a public or private company?
EPFL Pavilions is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently closed.
When was EPFL Pavilions founded?
EPFL Pavilions was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is EPFL Pavilions based?
EPFL Pavilions is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does EPFL Pavilions make money?
One revenue line is on record: public Institution Funding.
Who are EPFL Pavilions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are teamLab, Science Gallery International, ZKM Center for Art and Media, Barbican Centre, Mudam Luxembourg – Musée d'Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean and Ars Electronica. Broad incumbents are Tate Modern, Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) and Centre Pompidou. Heureka (Finnish Science Centre) is listed as a regional player.
Does EPFL Pavilions have an API?
No public API is recorded for EPFL Pavilions.
What industry is EPFL Pavilions in?
EPFL Pavilions's product category is Museum and Cultural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGAFAJ, Arts, Crafts & Maker Fairs. Its NAICS code is 712110.