Kiosque des Bastions // Genève
Heart of the Bastions brought back to life
Standing in the midst of Geneva’s famous Parc des Bastions, the eponymous café-restaurant that was once a magnet for city dwellers during music events has regained its splendour and its vibrant energy. Entirely renovated by our Studio, this historic building now boasts a contemporary interior that is as refined as it is welcoming. An ode to the Belle Époque!
Built between 1881 and 1882, the original bandstand responded to the desire of Geneva’s residents to reclaim the urban space and democratise the arts by taking music out of the aristocratic salons, opera house and theatre. The original plan of the building shows the harmonised treatment of its two main functions, one devoted to music, the other to the commerce of beverages. Evolving with the times, it became a restaurant and even a cinematograph, passing from flourishing periods to gloomier times when closure looked inevitable. The Bastions bandstand these days remains a public building devoted to gastronomy and entertainment. A new, lively chapter begins for this iconic address!
Aiming to bring this historic building back to life, we have designed a spatial, functional and aesthetic re-appreciation based on the very first architect’s plans. With the objective of regaining the original symmetry, the Studio started by removing the glasshouse added to the restaurant during an earlier renovation in the 1990s, then redesigned the interior volumes to create distinct spaces. The circulation from one zone to the next is fluid, airy – it creates a harmonious ensemble that integrates the café, the bar and the restaurant. The kitchen has also been completely renewed to meet current standards and a staff area with changing rooms was created in the basement.
Emphasising the primary intention of the project, we wanted to reinforce the dialogue between interior and exterior with a bold decor echoing the surrounding vegetation. Indeed, this convivial destination has enjoyed a close relationship with the Parc des Bastions and its users since its creation. Inspired by the Crystal Palace that hosted Britain’s Great Exhibition of 1851 – the world’s first universal exhibition – the interior spaces are adorned with exotic notes and glittering reflections, a nod to the joyful opulence of the Belle Époque.
The architectural quality of this heritage building is due in particular to the fine detailing. Our Studio has restored the original features such as the terrazzo, the locks and the woodwork, in order to sublimate the initial aesthetic codes of the construction. We have dressed the space with custom-designed benches and tables, produced by local craftsmen using carefully selected materials. We have also complemented the furnishings with high-end pieces. Made of a subtle blend of brass and ceramics, the majestic 22-metre-long bar, that matches the bistro tables also made in the French artisanal tradition, sets the tone for this new aesthetic language.
A partitioning system allows the space to become modular: as functional as they are decorative, acoustic curtains can be deployed to structure or privatise a zone according to requirements. Conceived by the Studio, they feature a large fresco celebrating the vegetal world that was created in collaboration with the artist Flor Chedufau and custom-made by the Swiss company Création Baumann.
Nature takes pride of place in this new urban oasis thanks to the latter’s proximity to the park, its colour palette and subtle blend of materials. This natural ambiance is also enhanced by indoor vegetation contained in custom-made solid oak planters.
The resulting, almost fairytale-like atmosphere responds to the grandeur of the venue.
Photos Christophe Voisin