ARCHITECTURE(S) IN MOTION
Filming a Changing Urban World
“Plaza on Tour” at Pavillon Sicli, Geneva
September 18–28, 2025 (closed Monday and Tuesday)

The Plaza Foundation presents the second episode of “Plaza on Tour” at the Pavillon Sicli in Geneva. After a first appearance at Art Genève 2025 with films related to the theme of the body, the Plaza’s “mobile cinema” will, for ten days, showcase works on architecture.

Through a selection of committed and inspiring films, the Plaza Foundation and the Pavillon Sicli Foundation will open a temporary cinema featuring short and feature-length films, including several Swiss premieres. The program opens with Penser l’incertitude (Thinking Uncertainty) by Christian Barani (France, 2024, 99 min), which follows a group of young architects and landscape designers across construction sites, landscapes, and buildings, revealing their commitments and convictions. The presentation is enriched by a montage of film excerpts—from documentary to thriller to comedy—woven into a unique narrative.

From September 18 to 28, this body of cinematic works seeks to deconstruct the mythical image of the solitary architect, the isolated genius, and instead highlight the power of the collective, shared intelligence in shaping our spaces, and the dialogue with nature. In a world in transformation, the greening of cities emerges as a key issue. How can we rethink together more vibrant, more sustainable, more humane urban environments?

A 36 m² mobile cinema designed by BUREAU will be installed under the dome of the Pavillon Sicli to host the screenings. It draws on Plaza architect Marc J. Saugey’s fascination with American industrial constructions. The structure adopts the semi-circular form of the Quonset hut in galvanized steel, developed in the 1940s to house military populations temporarily. After playing an important role during World War II, these durable and easy-to-assemble structures spread worldwide to house or entertain working-class populations in industrial areas or on urban fringes.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Screenings from Thursday, September 18 to Sunday, September 28, 2025
Continuously from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., free admission
Closed Monday, September 22 and Tuesday, September 23

Vernissage on Thursday, September 18, from 6 pm to 10 pm, with a round table at 6:30 pm moderated by programmer Hervé Bougon, featuring filmmaker Christian Barani, programmer Aldo Bearzatto, architect-urban planner Blanca Vellés, and Daniel and Galliane Zamarbide, architects of BUREAU, followed by a reception.

Speakers:

Hervé Bougon
Co-founder and artistic director of Close-Up, he is also programmer of the War on Screen festival (Châlons-en-Champagne) and a cinema consultant for the private sector.

Christian Barani
Artist and filmmaker, he develops a practice between documentary and visual arts, where walking and improvisation become tools for creation.

Blanca Vellés
Architect and urban planner (ETSAM), partner at @5 architecture et territoire, she teaches at the Geneva School of Landscape, Engineering and Architecture (HEPIA) and conducts research on housing and risk.

Daniel and Galliane Zamarbide
Architect and graphic designer, founders of the studio BUREAU, they combine architecture, scenography, and publishing in a transdisciplinary approach.

Curated by:
Close Up festival, Paris

Address:
Pavillon Sicli, route des Acacias 45, 1227 Geneva
Acces stop Pictet-Thellusson, tram 15 or stop Lancy Pont Rouge (bus 21,43, D or CFF Ceva)

Photo credit:
Federal.li