EMA, Auditorium Ansermet, Geneve
Space design for l'École des Musiques Actuelles (formerly École des Techniques Musicales) within a building that belonged to the Swiss Radio and Television. Renovation of the Ansermet Auditorium within l'École des Musiques Actuelles (EMA) through its capacity increase and convincing acoustics improvements in order to host concerts of contemporary music while preserving the existing reputation of its acoustic virtues for classical music.
The Auditorium, named after the founder of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Ernest-Ansermet, attracts an impressive number of musicians for recording sessions and concerts. One of the highlights of its renovation is the installation of a full immersive sound-system to generate the most intense sound experience. The auditorium, which belongs to the École des Musiques Actuelles, will continue to host the Orchestre de Chambre de Genève and the Ensemble Contrechamps, as well as showcasing a wide range of amplified music styles (from metal and electro music to pop and jazz music). This venue, historically dedicated to the recording of classical music, is coupled with a more intimate club. Together they will host the widest performances their acoustic spectrums can offer.
Projectgegevens
Renovatie École des Musiques Actuelles ema.school
Locatie Geneva, Switzerland.
Bouwkosten 7 million CHF (approx. 7.3 million € according to the opening year's conversion rate) by the Canton of the City of Geneva + private patronage (amount undisclosed).
Periode Design: 2020-2021. Construction 2021-2023. Opening: October 2023.
Opdrachtgever ETM (École des Musiques Actuelles), Geneva, Switzerland.
Architect(en) Lionel Spicher Architecte, Switzerland www.lionelspicher.ch • Reynaud-Gaillard Architectes, Switzerland www.reynaud.ch
Theateradviseur(s) Stefan Abromeit, Switzerland.
Capaciteit 300-seat auditorium with a surface area of 500 m² for concerts and recordings of all kinds of musical styles. The club, with its 100 intimate seats, is dedicated to amplified music concerts. Total area 3 000 m².
Gebruik The Auditorium: concerts of contemporary music, concerts and rehearsals for orchestras, chamber music groups and also recordings. The club: performances with a seated or standing audience and musical rehearsals for professionals and students.
Werkzaamheden Acoustic consulting and design, specification, construction supervision and commissioning services for variable acoustics and multifunctionality of the hall or Auditorium Ernest-Ansermet along with the club. Acoustic design and consulting for the transformed Auditorium Ernest-Ansermet, the Club and the control room, including variable acoustics features for multifunctionality uses.
Adviseur(s) Yann Jurkiewicz, Eckhard Kahle, Kahle Acoustics, and in collaboration with Décibel Acoustique SA (in charge of sound insulation and acoustic treatment of all practice rooms, the club and the salle or Auditorium Ernest-Ansermet).
Multifunctionality pushed at its peak in the renovated 300-seat auditorium, through the diversity of materials, shapes and acoustics functionalities designed for the ceiling, the back of the stage and its walls. Foto © Kahle Acoustics
Acoustic test run by Prof. Eckhard Kahle with his alto, here without the acoustic back wall curtain and with the non-motorized side wall panels here alternating between absorptive side at the back of the stage and with reflecting ones in the middle and at the front of the stage. Foto © Kahle Acoustics
Acoustic test with our in-house drummer and acoustician in front of the fully absorbing wall curtain and with non-motorized side wall panels, here showing their absorbing side. Foto © Kahle Acoustics
Detail of the stage's side wall panels with a 360° manual, hence non-motorized rotation, offering acoustics absorptive or reflective possibilities (one per side). Foto © Kahle Acoustics
The Club is for amplified performances with a seated or standing audience and also for musical rehearsals for both professionals and students. Foto © Kahle Acoustics
The loud noise levels, including very low frequencies, emitted in this room with its restricted volume required specific acoustic treatment. Alternating wall cladding absorbing the low frequencies (bass-traps) in solid folded metal and absorbing the medium and high frequencies in perforated metal was used. The walls and ceiling are also slightly angled. Foto © Kahle Acoustics