Bernard Tschumi Architects completes ring-shaped science centre with helical slides in Switzerland

Bernard Tschumi Architects has unveiled Philo, a circular science center located at the Institute Le Rosey boarding school in Rolle, Switzerland, close to Geneva. This five-story structure boasts a central atrium illuminated by a skylight, featuring staircases and two intertwined helical metal slides accessible from the fourth and fifth levels. Philo is adjacent to Carnal Hall, a music venue with a metal dome completed by the same firm in 2014, both described as 'two circular semi-twins' that stand in contrast to the campus's historical architecture. The design comprises three concentric layers: a central ring of rooms, communal areas with deep balconies overlooking the atrium, and an outer ring with landscaped terraces. A glass corridor leads to 'collision spaces' for social engagement. The 90 classrooms include movable partition walls for enhanced adaptability. The material selection blends white and glazed surfaces in classrooms with timber in social areas, reflecting the steel, glass, concrete, and wood of Carnal Hall. Founder Bernard Tschumi noted the client's desire for a distinct style from the historical pitched-roof structures, emphasizing that 'dynamic circulation and movement vectors activate the building inside and outside.'