How much water pressure does it take to power a city? That’s a question the people of Geneva grappled with in the late 19th century. Right before you stands the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices. This impressive building, also known as the BFM, once held the answer. The Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, nestled on the Rhone River, was never meant to be a concert hall. Constructed between 1883 and 1892, it was Geneva’s powerhouse. This was the brainchild of Théodore Turrettini, an engineer and politician with a vision. The BFM housed a system of 18 turbines. These turbines, powered by the Rhone’s flow, generated hydraulic power. This power was then distributed through a vast network of pipes to run machinery in the city’s factories and workshops. Imagine a network of pressurized water stretching for kilometers, silently powering an entire city. But there’s a little-known fact about the BFM and its hydraulic power. This system inadvertently led to the creation of Geneva’s iconic Jet d’Eau. You see, the network needed a release valve to prevent dangerous pressure build-up. This valve expelled excess water high into the air, creating a spectacular fountain. This unplanned spectacle, visible from afar, quickly became a symbol of the city. Today, the BFM has traded turbines for a stage, reborn as a magnificent concert hall. Yet, it stands as a testament to ingenuity and a time when water, not just electricity, fueled a city.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to