The historical rock club LE ROMANDIE in Lausanne re-opened its doors in mid September 2008.

LE ROMANDIE was previously located in an old cinema and has gained over the years the reputation of being the most authentic venue for rock and electro concerts in French-speaking Switzerland.

The brand new club is located under the Grand-Pont, a 19th century stone bridge in the city centre. As heavy structural consolidation work was necessary, the overall cost of the construction was past one million euros.

Picture by Milo Keller

The arches in which the club is built were previously filled with earth and had to be excavated to give room for a concert room and a bar.

The main idea was to play on this relationship between indoor and outdoor space.

Neon signs with the name of the club also serve as lights, giving a feeling of some kind of outdoor block-party to the bar area.

Picture by Milo Keller

The entrance is a tiny passage between a tall building and a bridge pile, all from the 19th century. Both the façade of the neighbouring building and the stone arches are still visible inside the club.

Picture by Milo Keller

The bar, the toilets, the furniture and the walls are put through very intensive use by fans and bands alike.

For the interior, galvanised steel mesh, asphalt flooring and road markings were used. All very resistant materials used in general for urban furniture.

Picture by Milo Keller