The Building Project
"Zukunft Oper"

ZUKUNFT OPER · GRAPHIC © MARIA GREJC


A House for Everyone –
The "Zukunft Oper" Building Project

To ensure that Zurich can continue to offer opera and ballet at the highest level in the future, the Opera House needs to be renovated and expanded. The building will also be made more accessible to the public.
 

At the heart of Zurich, a sustainable cultural building for the future will be created, providing the best possible conditions for opera and dance – for authentic and emotional experiences that bring together people from different backgrounds. An attractive venue for everyone, with a terrace and an open foyer.

Opera and ballet can move people deeply, inspiring them to reflect or dream. To make this possible, hundreds of people – from carpenters and costume designers to orchestra members – must work together at the highest level.


However, the Opera House faces logistical problems and a severe shortage of space. Some workplaces no longer meet legal requirements, and operational processes are inefficient. The situation on Falkenstrasse is particularly problematic, where deliveries of stage elements obstruct traffic on the road and pavement.

To address these problems, the 1984 extension – affectionately known locally as the "Fleischkäse" – which has long been in need of renovation, will be demolished and replaced by an attractive, open new building.



Renovating the existing building is not feasible at a reasonable cost (read more about this here). The historic Opera House will be renovated and adapted to meet today’s requirements. The Bernhard Theater, which is located in the extension, will be preserved.

The "Zukunft Oper" project aims to ensure that the Opera House can continue to fulfil its mandate as set out in the cantonal Opera House Act and strive for "outstanding quality and international recognition of its artistic achievements". The new extension will be accessible to everyone, even without a ticket: a place to spend time, meet others and find inspiration.

THE TEMPORARY BUILDING

An Important Step
for the "Zukunft Oper" Building Project

Completed in 2024, the temporary building provides additional space for workstations and changing rooms. Discover how the timber building was constructed and what difference it makes for employees.


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