CEM Verbania

CEM Verbania (IT)


LOCATION:
Verbania (IT)

ARCHITECT:
Salvador Perez Arroyo + Studio Bargone

MODEL:
Space Max & Tribuna telescópica

LINKS:
www.ec2.it/studiobargone (Architects)
www.salvadorperezarroyo.es (Architects)
www.ilmaggioreverbania.it (Customer)

VIDEO:


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This Culture centre in Italy has been designed by Bargone Architetti Associati following the idea that this kind of venues should always be connected with the city’s cultural spirit. This is the only way for a theatre to become, over time, a familiar urban presence; both a space that people can experience easily – sipping a coffee, watching an exhibition, relaxing while gazing other people passing by – and a cultural catalyst when the entire structure, with its plazas and terraces, is involved in major events and soirées.

Thus, the Multifunctional Cultural Complex (CEM) acts as the pivotal start-up of a wider city requalification, both social and landscape wise. With its contemporary and sculptural identity, four big volumes, with gentle and curved shapes,  creates the new public Centre on the Maggiore Lake of Verbania. The building is located at the San Bernardino river estuary, near the historical Villa Maioni and behind the local Civic Library. The Centre is open towards the surrounding. It defines a new urban and public area with great social value, an open space designed as meeting place, leisure, different kinds of events. The location is a perfect focal point between the two urban areas in the city.

Zinc metal sheets with a dramatic shading and vibrant colour clad the four curved volumes, with the colour recalling and harmonising with the Verbania lake and skies. A local stone is used for the external pavings. Inside, timber which is warm welcoming and natural is the main element.
The external landscape is sculptured with a system of descending bleachers (raised, tiered rows of benches) allowing a breathtaking panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding Italian Alps.

The lake stone is the main symbol of the project and the striking surrounding context the concept inspiration of the Centre. Its architecture grows from the unique relation between mountains, city and lake.
The multifunctional arts centre is made up of four big structures with curved shapes inspired by lake stones and linked by a prismatic volume. These pebble-shaped structures contain two theatres, a rehearsal space, restaurant, cafe and office space. Inside, a series of mobile platforms allow different configurations: a unique horizontal hall or a 500 seat classical theatre.

The model selected was the Space MAX retractable chair with gas pistons and wooden finishes in back & arms.

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