savioz fabrizzi architectes uses discarded shipping containers for sion music venue

savioz fabrizzi architectes uses discarded shipping containers for sion music venue
photography by thierry sermier
all images courtesy of savioz fabrizzi architectes

in sion, a town in the south of switzerland, savioz fabrizzi architectes has created a contemporary music venue by inserting a series of discarded shipping containers within an existing building. the venue’s focal point is a 300-seat concert hall, while dressing rooms, rehearsal space, a ticket office and a public bar make up the remainder of the program. designed to form a cultural hub at the heart of the community, the two-storey scheme received funding from the region’s bea young artists foundation.

a steel bar has been crafted from the form of a single container

in developing the project, the architects sought to take advantage of shipping containers’ beneficial characteristics. standardized dimensions allow the units to be readily stacked, while the inherent resistance of the large steel boxes protects against vandalism and other forms of incidental damage. the modular nature of the design ensures that the scheme can easily be added to, or subtracted from, allowing a large degree of flexibility throughout the process.

savioz fabrizzi architectes were awarded the project after winning a competition in 2011 and the complex was opened in 2015.

the two-storey scheme contains rehearsal rooms and breakout space

individual volumes can be securely closed off

the project has been designed to form a cultural hub at the heart of sion’s community

the architects sought to take advantage of shipping containers’ unique characteristics

the focal point of the design is a 300-seat concert hall

live music events are regularly staged at the venue

the bar in operation

the scheme received funding from the region’s bea young artists foundation

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