Media Library and Cantonal Archives of Valais

Media Library and Cantonal Archives of Valais
© Yves André

MEDIA LIBRARY AND CANTONAL ARCHIVES OF VALAIS

meier + associés architectes

CATEGORY
Cultural Center

LOCATION
Sion, Switzerland

AREA
9200 m²

PHOTOGRAPHS
Yves André

CIVIL ENGINEER
Bisa

SITE SUPERVISION
Cagna + Wenger

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

SANITARY ENGINEER
GD Climat

SURVEYOR
Geosat

LEAD ARCHITECTS
meier + associés architectes (Philippe Meier, Ariane Poncet, Martin Jaques, An-Inès Pepermans)

HEATING AND VENTILATION ENGINEER
GD Climat

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
Lami Sàrl

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

Text description provided by architect.

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.

Media Library and Cantonal Archives of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library and Cantonal Archives of Valais
© Yves André

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.

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

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.

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 folded shape of the building, composed of flat triangular surfaces, draws upon the rock crystals found in Valais’ natural surroundings.

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.

Media Library and Cantonal Archives of Valais
© Yves André
Media Library and Cantonal Archives of Valais
© Yves André

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
© Yves André


Media Library and Cantonal Archives of Valais
Elevation
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
Plan
Media Library and Cantonal Archives of Valais
Plan 1.200


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