Primeo Energie Kosmos

About the museum

The Primeo Energie Kosmos stands on the works site of the energy supplier Primeo Energie (formerly EBM, Elektra Birseck Münchenstein), right next to Münchenstein railway station. Its predecessor was the Electricity Museum, which the supplier opened in 1997 for its hundredth anniversary. On around a thousand square metres it showed the development of electricity generation and use and complemented the collection of historical appliances with a technology lab for experimenting.

This building has become a science and experience centre for climate and energy. The Science Center in a new building invites visitors to touch and try out seventeen hands-on stations; the building consists of about 70 percent reused, recycled or renewable materials, and the surrounding landscaping was awarded an architecture prize. In the renovated old building, the Experience Center leads through six scenographically designed rooms on a personal energy journey from electricity generation from sun, wind and water to transport and storage.

The Lernwelt Energie (Energy Learning World) complements the offering with workshops in which children and young people build, for example, solar vehicles or lamps. It is also offered at the company's second site in Olten. All exhibition content is available in German, French and English.

Highlights

• Science Center with 17 hands-on stations on climate and energy
• Experience Center: roughly 35-minute energy journey through six immersive rooms
• Open-air exhibition “Klima & Bau” (Climate & Building) with 23 re-use panels
• Workshops by the Lernwelt Energie (solar vehicles, lamps)
• Exhibition texts in German, French and English

Permanent exhibitions

• Science Center – Seventeen hands-on stations on the greenhouse effect, climate and energy – for example a muscle-powered machine used to bring water to the boil, or experiments with electricity and batteries.
• Erlebnis Center – Energiereise – In six scenographically designed rooms, visitors learn in about 35 minutes how electricity from sun, wind and water can be generated, transported and stored.
• Klima & Bau – Open-air exhibition on 23 yellow re-use panels about sustainability and the circular economy in construction.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Primeo Energie

Admission & discounts

Admission to the Primeo Energie Kosmos and the Lernwelt Energie programmes is free for schools and for customers of Primeo Energie. Children under 7 pay nothing.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Animals are not allowed in the exhibition rooms, with the exception of certified assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

The Science Center is designed as a hands-on exhibition. The Lernwelt Energie offers solar and lamp workshops as well as children's birthday parties (solar workshop) – the latter, however, are open only to customers of Primeo Energie. Prams and strollers are not allowed in the exhibition rooms.

Getting there & parking

By car via the H18, exit Reinach Nord towards Reinach, turn right at the traffic lights into Baselstrasse, turn right at the roundabout into Heiligholzstrasse, and after the motorway and the Birs turn left into Weidenstrasse.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Bags and backpacks larger than A4, umbrellas and bulky items as well as prams and strollers must be left in the lockers or the cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

According to the price list, available for hire are, among others, the seminar room, piazza, event location, Foyer Klima and roof terrace, as well as the entire Kosmos exclusively; flat-rate prices in the price list.

Plan your visit