A Lugano A new phase has officially begun for the local cultural and educational system: with a ceremony in Besso, work began on the so-called "city of music," a project intended to redefine the spaces and ambitions of music in Ticino and nationally.
The project will be built on the site of the former radio studio of the RSI, a building considered of historical value, which will be restored and integrated with new facilities. The goal is to create a hub capable of bringing together training, production, and conservation of sound heritage in a single ecosystem.
A project shared between institutions
Representatives of the main institutions involved attended the presentation. Among them were the president of the Conservatory Foundation, Ina Piattini Pelloni, and its general director, Christoph Brenner, along with political and academic figures, including State Councilor Marina Carobbio Guscetti and Mayor Michele Foletti.
The project is part of the wider university system of the area, in dialogue with entities such as the SUPSI, and aims to ensure continuity and development of the activities of the University School of Music, the Pre-College and the School of Music.
Shared spaces and an international vocation
In addition to training, the "city of music" provides for the coexistence of various musical institutions and entities active in the area. These include the Orchestra of Italian Switzerland, the Baroque artists, the musical productions of the RSI and the Sonart association.
A key element will also be the relocation of the Swiss National Sound Archives, which will help strengthen the new complex's role as a place of conservation and research.
Architecture and memory of place
The architectural project, designed by Architecture Club, envisions a respectful intervention to the historical memory of the existing building, with the addition of new volumes. Special attention was paid to the symbolic value: a commemorative plaque will be installed upon completion of the work, following those already present at the building's entrance, dedicated to the original architects Alberto Camenzind, Rino Tami, and Augusto Jäggli.
Timelines and prospects
Construction began in February 2026. The first building, the main one located in the former RSI headquarters, is scheduled for completion in 2028, in time for the start of the 2028/29 academic year. The entire complex, including the new buildings, is expected to be completed in 2029.
A piece in the city's cultural journey
In the public debate, the project is also seen as a further step in strengthening the city's cultural identity, already marked in recent years by the birth of the LAC Lugano Art and Culture.
The stated intention is to build not just an infrastructure for professionals, but an open, accessible space integrated into city life. A place, in the words of the promoters, capable of welcoming students, professionals, and the public, fostering a meeting of tradition and experimentation.
A project supported by the territory
One of the elements highlighted during the ceremony was the broad consensus surrounding the initiative. The lack of formal opposition during the authorization process is seen as a sign of widespread support, involving institutions, private individuals, and citizens.
The financial and symbolic support of donors and the community has been repeatedly highlighted as essential to the project's completion, which is described not as an elite project, but as a collective initiative.
Music and the future
The opening day was accompanied by musical performances by students, underscoring the connection between the construction site and its future function. This was a concrete sign of what will be the main challenge: transforming a collection of spaces into a vibrant space, capable of producing culture.
Further details about the project are available at www.cittadellamusica.ch and on the Conservatory's official website: www.conservatory.ch.
