Rehearsal venue Picassoplatz
Room Rentals
Are you looking for a suitable rehearsal room? We offer atmospheric, professionally equipped rehearsal rooms in the centre of Basel. Ideal conditions for any size of formation, from chamber music to large orchestral formations. Equally suitable for choir rehearsals.
Here you will find further information and the reservation form.
If you have any questions, please contact Kerstin Fuchs:
+41 (0)61 205 16 87 or by email at k.fuchs@sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch
The Building
The “First Church of Christ, Scientist, Basel”, built in 1936 by Otto Rudolf Salvisberg, was included in Basel’s cantonal list of monuments in 2003 and comprehensively protected both inside and out. The high level and almost unchanged state of its preservation, not only in its unchanged appearance, but also in its surfaces, such as the 80-year-old linoleum floor in the circulation area or the textured plaster of the church hall, amazes and captivates and must be regarded as one of the most valuable and authentic testimonies of Otto Rudolf Salvisberg’s architecture.
During the last few years, the building was no longer needed because of the greatly reduced size of the church congregation. As a result, the building was acquired by Basel City Council and converted into the current rehearsal venue for the Basel Symphony Orchestra.
The new function required not only the installation of a level stage, but also structural measures to improve sound insulation from the neighbourhood, acoustic adjustments to the main auditorium, the installation of barrier-free sanitary facilities and new lighting for the stage area.
The orchestra’s new office was incorporated into the floor plan geometry with custom-made office furniture in the former Sunday school hall on the upper floor.
In addition, the existing structure was adapted to meet today’s requirements for safety, fire protection and building technology, earthquake resistance was improved and the existing copper roof was renovated.
The building, which has been preserved almost in its original state, required the utmost care and consideration in all areas of work when dealing with the existing building fabric and the overall architectural and spatial appearance.
Reconstruction and partial renovation of the historical building:
Project planning, execution: 2017 - 2020
Building owners: Basel-Stadt Real Estate, Basel Symphony Orchestra
Architects: Beer Merz Architekten SIA BSA
Guided Tours
Are you interested in visiting our rehearsal venue?
Private guided tours (max. 25 persons, approx. 20 minutes): CHF 250.-
Registration:
Greta Backhaus
+41 (0)61 205 00 98
g.backhaus@sinfonieorchesterbasel.ch
Rehearsal venue and office of the Sinfonieorchester Basel
