Lakeside theatre designed by Bargone Associati to look like huge rocks
Four pebble-shaped volumes form this cultural centre completed by Bargone Architetti Associati on the stony shoreline of Lake Maggiore, Italy (+ slideshow).
![CEM Verbania by Bargone Architetti Associati in Italy](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/04/cem-verbania-bargone-architetti-associati-cultural-complex-theatre-italy-alps_dezeen_936_0.jpg)
The Centro Eventi Multifunzionale (CEM) hosts a pair of theatres for audiences of 500 and 200, as well as a rehearsal space, and a foyer for events and exhibitions. A restaurant, cafe and ancillary spaces including offices are also included.
![CEM Verbania by Bargone Architetti Associati in Italy](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/04/cem-verbania-bargone-architetti-associati-cultural-complex-theatre-italy-alps_dezeen_936_3.jpg)
The Italian studio chose to clad the four irregularly curving forms in zinc, giving them a pale grey colouring that matches stones on the lake shore.
They are linked by a smaller rectilinear volume fronting the lake, which presents a glazed facade to the nearby city of Verbania.
![CEM Verbania by Bargone Architetti Associati in Italy](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/04/cem-verbania-bargone-architetti-associati-cultural-complex-theatre-italy-alps_dezeen_936_5.jpg)
"The lake stone is the very symbol of the project and the striking surrounding context was the utmost trigger of the centre," Bargone Associati co-founder Federico Bargone told Dezeen.
"Its architecture grows from the unique relation between mountains, city and lake."
![CEM Verbania by Bargone Architetti Associati in Italy](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/04/cem-verbania-bargone-architetti-associati-cultural-complex-theatre-italy-alps_dezeen_936_2.jpg)
"Zinc metal sheets with a characteristic shading and vibrant colour clad the four curved volumes, with the colour recalling and harmonising with the Verbania lake and skies," he added.
A broad flight of steps connects the elevated building with a park that surrounds its base and sprawls out towards the water.
![CEM Verbania by Bargone Architetti Associati in Italy](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/05/cem-verbania-bargone-architetti-associati-italy-extra_dezeen_936_0.jpg)
The steps and park provide a new public meeting space that can also host outdoor events, and also contribute to the wider regeneration of the area.
![CEM Verbania by Bargone Architetti Associati in Italy](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/04/cem-verbania-bargone-architetti-associati-cultural-complex-theatre-italy-alps_dezeen_936_6.jpg)
"The external landscape is sculptured with a system of descending bleachers, allowing a breathtaking panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding Italian Alps," said the architects.
![CEM Verbania by Bargone Architetti Associati in Italy](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/04/cem-verbania-bargone-architetti-associati-cultural-complex-theatre-italy-alps_dezeen_936_7.jpg)
While external areas are paved in local stone to match the surrounds, the interior is lined in warm-toned wood to provide a welcoming space.
![CEM Verbania by Bargone Architetti Associati in Italy](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/04/cem-verbania-bargone-architetti-associati-cultural-complex-theatre-italy-alps_dezeen_936_4.jpg)
Among the more unusually formed cultural buildings on Dezeen is a sinuous opera house designed by MAD for the Chinese city of Harbin and a shield-shaped extension to a Viking museum in Oslo by AART.
Like Dezeen on Facebook for the latest architecture, interior and design news »
Project credits:
Client: Comune di Verbania
Architecture: Studio Bargone Architetti Associati
Concept design: Salvador Perez Arroyo, S. Federico Bargone, Francesco Bartolucci, Peter Cook, Garcia BBM, M Mariani, E Auletta, Bianchini e Lusiardi Associati, A Sandelewski, F Brenci, A Di Muzio
Construction architects: Fabrizio Bianchetti, Giancarlo Marzorati
Construction engineers: Stefano Rossi, Guido Davoglio, Fulvio Epifani
General contractors: Notarimpresa, Tecno Costruzioni, CDL
![CEM Verbania by Bargone Architetti Associati in Italy](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/04/cem-verbania-bargone-architetti-associati-cultural-complex-theatre-italy-alps-site-plan_dezeen_0.gif)
![CEM Verbania by Bargone Architetti Associati in Italy](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/04/cem-verbania-bargone-architetti-associati-cultural-complex-theatre-italy-alps-sectional-perspective_dezeen_1.gif)
![CEM Verbania by Bargone Architetti Associati in Italy](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/04/cem-verbania-bargone-architetti-associati-cultural-complex-theatre-italy-alps-modelling_dezeen_2.gif)