copper shingles wrap curving concert hall ‘la source vive’ in évian, france
Resonating with Nature: PCA-STREAM and Patrick Bouchain Complete La Source Vive Concert Hall in Évian
Nestled within the densely forested heights overlooking Lake Geneva in Évian, France, La Source Vive stands as a brilliant architectural continuation of the regional musical legacy. Designed by Philippe Chiambaretta (PCA-STREAM) in close collaboration with legendary architect Patrick Bouchain, this newly completed chamber music hall acts as a mineral counterpart to the adjacent iconic timber structure, La Grange au Lac (built by Bouchain in 1993). Together, the two venues form the unified musical enclave known as Les Mélèzes.
Initiated by philanthropist Aline Foriel-Destezet, the design of La Source Vive represents a meticulous balance between high-performance acoustic engineering and deep site sensitivity. At ArchCod, we consistently explore how vanguard structural projects harmonise with fragile ecosystems—a core value we outline in detail on our About Us page.
The Copper Scale Shell and Mountain Topography
To preserve the surrounding forest and minimize its visible mass, the programmatic components are split across the sloped clearing. The main auditorium is strategically placed higher on the slope to spare healthy trees, while the shared glazed foyer occupies the exact footprint of the original entrance, expanding to seamlessly route audiences between the old and new halls. Upslope, dedicated artist dressing rooms link directly to the main access road near the Hôtel Ermitage, simplifying technical operations.
To avoid the heavy, dampened environment of standard acoustic projects, PCA-STREAM introduced a natural, tactile palette. The stage and floor are crafted from local rose beech wood, accented by leather seating and metal details. At the crown of the dome, an operable oculus draws natural daylight directly onto the plaster and wood surfaces during rehearsals, forging a direct connection to the alpine sky and changing hours outside. Externally, landscape studio Coloco reinforced the site’s ecology by introducing 150 new trees and using locally sourced Meillerie stone for the rockwork.
Acoustic Craftsmanship: Tuning the Space Like an Instrument
The 490-seat auditorium behaves structurally like a nested instrument. Renowned acoustician Albert Xu collaborated closely with the design team to develop an optimized oval plan combined with a conical section, generating eleven cubic meters of volume per spectator. A double-shell system isolates the music: the inner concrete core is lined with raw molded plaster, while a structural void separates it from the outer copper-tiled protective roof envelope.
