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Generous outdoor spaces to complement two affordable housing buildings

ID card

  • Project name: Concorde district, sector F

  • Location city/canton: Geneva

  • Project type: urban piece

  • Project start date: 2016

  • Delivery date: 2022

  • AMEX project area: 7,767 m²

  • SIA Phases: 31 - 53

  • Lead architect: ass architectes associés SA

  • Partner company: BEP

The mission

✔️ Supporting urban densification while guaranteeing the quality of life for residents.

✔️ Preserve as many existing trees as possible and create an area for shared gardens.

✔️ Offer generous outdoor amenities for apartment residents and neighbors.

The brief

This project is located in the heart of Geneva, in the rapidly developing Concorde district. Faced with growing demand for housing, the HBM Émile Dupont Foundation sought to increase the density of its residential stock. The entirely pedestrianized site originally contained eight buildings constructed in the 1950s, along with large green spaces and community gardens.

In response to a competition, we were commissioned, along with Ass Architectes Associés SA, to redesign this residential neighborhood. The mission had to address two key objectives of the Foundation: to increase the number of housing units while preserving recreational spaces to guarantee the quality of life for residents.

Green spaces, vegetable gardens and play areas for a vibrant housing complex

To the north, a public square connects the housing complex with the surrounding neighborhood. This area includes bicycle parking, recycling points, and the "fault line," a pathway that crosses the site to connect Chemin des Sports to Chemin des Ouches. At the rear, along the Green Way bordering the railway tracks, we have preserved the existing tree-lined strip. To the northeast, along Chemin des Sports, the pedestrian walkway, raised above street level, is lined with linden trees and planters filled with perennials and grasses. On the Chemin des Ouches side, a magnificent Acer pseudoplatanus welcomes visitors. A rest area with picnic tables is located beneath it to enjoy its shade.

The tree palette is predominantly native around the perimeter, becoming increasingly horticultural towards the interior of the site. Along the residential buildings, decorative gardens planted with cultivated species and ornamental apple and plum trees serve as a buffer zone between the private terraces of the residences and the public garden. The sandblasted concrete walkways and the smooth white concrete street furniture echo the architecture.

We also planned a multi-age children's play area and raised community gardens in wooden planters. These two areas were put on hold and will be implemented later by BEP, after consultation with residents.

A large green space in open ground to accommodate all uses

The project's unique approach, which allowed us to stand out during the competition, is based on the creation of a large central green space. The two residential towers, positioned in an L-shape to the north and east, leave the south side open for a lawn and planting area. The idea is to offer children and families a space to freely play ball, racquet sports, or engage in other athletic activities. This strategic positioning also allows for apartments with windows on both sides, where all living spaces open onto the park. The basement is limited to the building's footprint to maximize the open ground. This is advantageous both for facilitating rainwater infiltration and for encouraging planting, thus creating a verdant environment for residents.

Focus on: green facades

Our greatest achievement on this project? The greening of the eight-story facades! To accomplish this feat, we installed a system of staggered planters every two floors, with climbing plants supported by cables. The selected plant species offer either unusual foliage or flowers to brighten and soften the facade. Despite some initial concerns about sun exposure, the greenery has ultimately thrived over the seasons, becoming one of the project's defining features.

    A green residential neighborhood project followed from A to Z

    From the initial competition entry to commissioning, including all permit applications, we supported the client throughout this project from start to finish. The construction site, though large-scale, was managed efficiently thanks to a strong team and excellent collaboration among the various stakeholders. Delivered in the summer of 2022, the project was very well received by the residents and the Foundation. In fact, the Foundation invited us back in December 2022 to plant three 10-meter-tall pine trees at the entrance to the site, as originally envisioned in the competition entry.
    "As a landscape architect, participating in the execution phase has strengthened my understanding of the different trades and the realities of the construction site."
    L. Pernet-Solliet
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