Architects: Atelier Void, Lorenz Bachmann
Area: 42 m²
Year: 2020
Photographs: Lukas Murer
Lead Architects: Georg Bachmann, Lorenz Bachmann
Acoustics: Applied acoustics
Project Manager: Jürg Weidmann
Landscape Architecture: Grünbart
Engineering Consulting: Holzbaubüro Reusser
Cooperation Facade & Manufacture Cement Fiber Boards: Solanellas Van Noten Meister
General Contractor: Zehnder Holz & Bau
City: Winterthur
Country: Switzerland
The Music Pavilion, designed by a collaborative effort including the architectural office SVNM, is located in Winterthur, Switzerland. This single-story building, intended for music practice and teaching, features cross-laminated timber panels and a cement fiber board facade in 21 shades of blue. The pavilion’s open design and excellent acoustics create a harmonious blend of architecture and sound, with a completion year of 2020.
Envisioning a space wholly devoted to music, where a pianist can both practice and teach: a serene and enchanting environment seamlessly integrated into her picturesque garden in Winterthur, Switzerland. The pavilion, a single-story structure, rests on a basic concrete foundation. Crafted from 12cm thick cross-laminated timber panels, both the walls and the pitched roof evoke the feel of a cardboard model. Supported by the ends of the walls, the steep gable roof extends along the eaves, fully opening the space to the surrounding garden.
The exterior of the building is clad in thick cement fiber boards, shimmering in 21 different shades of blue. Developed in collaboration with SVNM, the shingled facade was installed with the support of many friends.
Concealed within the gabled facade facing the courtyard, the service room houses an entrance, toilet, and storage space. This design choice enables the pavilion to operate independently from the residential building. Exposed in this intermediate layer are the concrete base and the fresh pinewood of the cross-laminated timber panels.
Upon entering, a small step leads into the music room, which is designed with minimalism and offers open views of the garden on both longitudinal sides. Surfaces of white wood and textiles capture and reflect the green and blue hues of the natural surroundings. The expansive gable roof enhances the room’s acoustic properties and creates a sense of enclosure by extending down to near eye level along the eaves.
The pavilion’s outstanding acoustics are attributed to the sound-permeable fabric that adorns the walls and ceilings. This fabric covers an acoustic layer featuring both absorbing and reflecting components.
Designing a musical space is a profoundly rewarding challenge, as sound acts as an essential collaborator for architects. It thrives in open areas and interacts closely with the room’s surfaces. To share this immersive experience, the pianist launched a concert series known as “Pavillon Bleu.”
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Winterthur, Switzerland
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
