Architects: PONT12 architectes
Area: 5196 m²
Year: 2023
Photographs: Matthieu Gafsou
Manufacturers: Bator, Feller, Hadler GmbH, Indelague, Kaestli Storen, Montana, Prolux
Civil Engineering: EDMS SA
Heating and Ventilation: Jakob Forrer SA
Electrical Planning: Thorsen Sàrl
Geotechnical Engineers: Yves Deillon
Building Physics: Estia SA
Landscape Architecture: L’Atelier du Paysage Jean-Yves Le Baron
Acousticians: EcoAcoustique SA
Category: Theater, Renovation, Extension
Design Team: PONT12 architectes
Project Owner: City of Lausanne
Sanitary Planning: BA Consulting
Facade Engineer: BCS SA
City: Lausanne
Country: Switzerland
The renovation and extension of Théâtre Vidy by PONT12 Architectes renew the cultural landmark’s modernist legacy while adapting it to the demands of contemporary performance. The project focuses on updating the theatre’s aging production infrastructure and redefining its spatial organization without compromising the integrity of Max Bill’s original 1964 pavilion. A carefully balanced intervention expands the main hall, introduces a new rehearsal space, and restores the stainless-steel façade mouldings that characterized the building’s dialogue with Lake Geneva and the surrounding parkland. Developed in close collaboration with the cultural heritage commission, the project preserves the architectural clarity of the original while enhancing its functionality and environmental performance for a new generation of use.
Théâtre Vidy was originally designed by Max Bill in 1964 for the Swiss National Exhibition as a temporary structure intended for six months of use. Its preservation was made possible by its acquisition by the City of Lausanne, led by director Charles Apothéloz, allowing theatrical activity to continue and securing part of the original pavilion. Over time, multiple leadership teams have shaped Vidy into an international cultural reference point and a key contributor to Lausanne’s artistic identity.
The theatre’s production infrastructure—including the stage, backstage areas, and workshops—had become outdated and functionally misaligned with current needs. Renovation efforts involved increasing the volume of the main hall and introducing a new rehearsal space on the site of the former Cour des Arts, thereby resolving spatial fragmentation that dated back to Expo 64.
All architectural interventions were developed in close collaboration with the cultural heritage commission. One example is the façade renovation, where new stainless-steel mouldings were used to reproduce the original material, contrasting with the surrounding natural setting. This approach preserved the modernist character of the pavilion while updating it for contemporary use. To the north, where the 1964 exhibition “The Art of the Garden” was once staged, the adjacent park now acts as the theatre’s entrance square. This green public space creates a direct visual and spatial dialogue with Yves Weinand’s recent wooden pavilion and the tree canopy, reconnecting landscape and architecture.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Lausanne, Switzerland
The location specified is intended for general reference and may denote a city or country, but it does not identify a precise address.
