Théâtre de Carouge - Exposed masonry façade
Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland
Competition 1st prize 2012
Planning and realisation 2012-2021
Opening event autumn 2021
Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland
Competition 1st prize 2012
Planning and realisation 2012-2021
Opening event autumn 2021
Ville de Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland
Pont12 Architectes,
Chavannes-près-Renens, Switzerland
Support structure, exposed masonry façade
Taylan Beyaşahin, Heike Egli-Erhart, Ana Maria Eigenmann, Roberto Plaza, Dario Ruff
The Theatre de Carouge is a creative venue nestled in the narrow streets of Carouge. The project that won the competition, is characterised by its monolithic architecture. On the ground floor, three volumes are grouped around the central stage tower. This level houses the theatre halls of different sizes and the "Salle des Fêtes" (ballroom). The foyer opens generously onto the spacious esplanade, which welcomes the audience.
Workshops, offices, meeting rooms, cloakrooms and control rooms are arranged in a circle on the first floor. The façade of exposed brickwork references the surrounding architecture. It consists of self-supporting, largely jointless masonry with elongated solid clay bricks in the format 365 × 115 × 40 mm called "Roman Brick". They create a lively structure thanks to their individual appearance and above the foyer, a relief in the masonry bond provides aesthetic accents.
A total of up to 300,000 of these bricks were used. Thanks to a well thought-out design concept with large-area brickwork, the number of joints was reduced from 36 to 13 - a significant advantage for building maintenance. The structural concept also makes the façade resistant to temperature-related deformations.
The project was developed in close collaboration with the city administration and users in order to preserve the city's flagship institution. The canton of Geneva, Geneva municipalities and private sponsors are contributing financially.