Meier + Associés Architectes

Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais

Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André

Media Library and Cantonal Archives of Valais

Meier + Associés Architectes

ARCHITECTS
Meier + Associés Architectes

SURVEYOR
Geosat

SITE SUPERVISION
Cagna + Wenger

CIVIL ENGINEER
Bisa

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
Lami

SANITARY ENGINEER
GD Climat

MANUFACTURERS
Dalhaus, Dietrich isol AG, Isover, Knauf, Cemento Bin, Cyrcus and Paint, Griesser

COLLABORATORS ARCHITECTS
Frank Herbert, Laurent Miranda, Clara Caldeira, Sébastien Le Dortz, Amalia Jimenez, Julio Lopez, Christophe Berther, Patrick Flum, Lelio La Macchia, Linda Serra, Jean-Philippe Tournigand Demilly

HEATING AND VENTILATION ENGINEER
GD Climat

PHOTOGRAPHS
Yves André

AREA
9200 m²

YEAR
2016

LOCATION
Sion, Switzerland

CATEGORY
Cultural Center

The aim of the project is to bring together, on the site of Sion’s former military arsenals, several cultural organisations in the canton, in particular the Valais media library and the state archives.

The purpose of this union is to create a veritable centre for culture, science and heritage that favours exchange between different disciplines and encourages research, learning and the gathering together of people.

Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André

Such a union also aims to optimise the management and conservation of Valais’ heritage and its accessibility to the public, as well as serve as a meeting point between artists and cultural representatives.

The project has opted to conserve and enhance the two arsenals through the integration of these new functions.

The arsenals comprise the cantonal arsenal (1895, architect Joseph de Kalbermatten), located to the north of the site, and the federal arsenal (1917), located to the south.

Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André

The main architectural challenge is to combine two buildings of high historical value into a coherent whole.

Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André

The project includes the establishment of a new building which links together the different levels of the two existing arsenals. Although its function is primarily one of circulation, the new building also serves as a reference point:

a place of collectivity where everyone passes through, and towards which all eyes turn. The folded shape of the building, composed of flat triangular surfaces, draws upon the rock crystals found in Valais’ natural surroundings.

Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André

A dematerialised blanched inner skin, punctuated by shards of light, is complemented on the outside by a facade of polished stainless steel panels, which reflect the landscape, sky and existing buildings, thus offering a constantly changing view of the location’s historical essence.

The major challenge of the project was to ensure the integration of specific spaces that were very different from the original purpose of the existing structure: in other words, to show that a contemporary intervention could still preserve the historical substance of the site.

Special attention was paid to the technical infrastructure needed to create the new conditions related to interior comfort as well as to preserve precious works.

Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
© Yves André


Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
Plan
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
Plan 1.200


Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
Section 01
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
Section 02
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
Section 03
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
Section 04
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
Section 05
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
Elevation


Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
Triangle 01
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
Triangle 02


Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
Sketch
Media Library And Cantonal Archives Of Valais
Situation

Meier + Associés Architectes
T +41 22 7154848
Meier + Associés Architectes
Rue du Môle 38BIS, 1201 Genève, Switzerland