The so-called "L'Or du Rhin" or "Center for Art" was designed between 1971 and 1974 by the Cuban architect, craftsman, sculptor and painter Ricardo Porro (1925-2014).
The architect was commissioned by the financier Robert Altmann to design an office with a gallery. He wanted to combine his private collection of paintings with his offices. Ricardo Porro, who had previously worked mainly in Cuba, designed the building in three parts. The offices, which could be rented, were to be located on the first floor. The large exhibition rooms were planned for the upper floors, which would also serve as the entrance hall to Robert Altmann's private offices. The idea behind the construction was that the building should reflect the image of the small country of Liechtenstein. The aspect that Liechtenstein was one of the most important centers of the business world was to be expressed.
The building, which is massive and physical on the one hand and energetic and dynamic on the other, consists of an intricate glass and metal façade with gold-tinted windows. The most striking feature of the building is probably the hanging slats of anodized aluminum in gold tone. When, during a December storm, some of the incessant sounding slats fell down, they were fitted with a ball-joint system to stop them moving and the intended sound effect disappeared.
