Imagine the future EDHEA

Launch of an architectural design competition

Founded in 1949, the Ecole cantonale d’art du Valais arrived at an important turning point in 2019 when it became part of the HES-SO Valais-Wallis network and adopted a new identity: EDHEA, The Valais School of Art. Since moving to Sierre in 1996, the school never stopped developing and currently comprises three separate sites.

On 20 August 2021, an architectural competition was launched to design a new campus for EDHEA and the Tailoring School in Sierre under the auspices of the Property and Heritage Services (SIP) of Valais. This one-stage competition, whose results will be known in February 2022, is in line with the applicable public procurement regulations and procedures.

The future art and design school will be built near the train station and the Théâtre des Halles, on the site of the former Usego market. It will constitute an essential part of the urban development project “Condémines 20 30” of the city of Sierre.

In addition to hosting a school of art and design of around 9000 m2, the future campus will be become a cultural beacon in light of the strong urban development of the canton of Valais. It will be designed not only as an education venue but also as a contemporary culture space, partly open the public. The new building will be a model for other art schools and will convey sustainable development values. The new campus will host around 350 students.

The specifications of the competition are available on the platform of SIMAP.CH.