Bâtiment des Forces motrices, Cultural center and theater in Plainpalais, Switzerland
The Bâtiment des Forces motrices is a cultural center and theater located in an industrial building that once generated power from the river. The venue features a large auditorium with high ceilings, arched windows overlooking the Rhône, and preserved mechanical equipment visible throughout the space.
The structure was built in 1883 as a hydroelectric facility that powered Geneva's industrial operations for several decades. It ceased energy production in 1963 and underwent conversion into a cultural venue decades later.
The venue now hosts theatrical performances, concerts, and art exhibitions that breathe contemporary life into the former power station. Visitors experience drama, music, and visual art within spaces that retain their original industrial character and scale.
The site sits along the Rhône River in a neighborhood easily reached by public transit with parking nearby. Most areas are accessible for visitors with mobility concerns, particularly through the main entrance facing the water.
Inside the building, visitors can see original 19th-century Jonval turbines that speak to its former power-generating life. These mechanical machines create a striking contrast with contemporary theatrical performances and art installations within the same space.
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