The Geneva Porteous socio-cultural space is shaped by its association – rts.ch

At the end of a small road accessible by bike and on foot is the Porteous industrial site in Vernier. Built in the late 1960s in brutalist style, Porteous was originally a sewage treatment plant. Ten years later, the water treatment system is outdated. The building is then used to filter out unpleasant odors before being abandoned. Then the state wants to turn him into a detention center.

But in August 2018, the “Prenons la ville” collective arrived on a boat to stop the project and stabilize the building. In January 2019, by mutual agreement with the Council of State, Porteous was entrusted with a cultural project. The space will welcome both Swiss and foreign artists and musicians.

community project

After six months in the making, in June 2023, Porteous reopens. However, it is still necessary to complete the rehabilitation of the space and bring it up to standard. “This place should be a place that allows for meeting and discussion to create the entire future project of the building,” explains Gahla Doerig, a member of the Porteous collective, on the program ‘On se jet à l’eau’. Three weeks of participatory construction are scheduled for September.” The site is open to all and all ideas are welcome.

>> See also: The first rehabilitated Porteous space is open to the public in Vernier

“There are a lot of limitations, but we decided to use them in the interests of our imagination,” explains Samantha Case, also a member of the Porteous Collective. “This place takes a lot of energy, but it’s worth it.”

Radio Subject: Quentin Bohlin

Web Adaptation: Myriam Samaani