built, competition

C1 Tower

Parallel study, winning project. Housing and private clinic

Les Vergers, Meyrin, Geneva

2013 - 2018

C1 Tower

The distinguishing feature of the site is its special location, offering distant views of the Jura, as well as its proximity to agricultural and sports areas. C1 Tower is part of a series of three high-rise buildings in the new Vergers eco-district in Meyrin. A true figurehead, it is positioned as a pivot at the crossroads and forms the first element marking the entrance to the town. The concave shape of its large folded façades is primarily intended to
address the large landscape in the manner of an open book. It also makes it possible to house apartments in the central curved section and to group together the entrances to the various uses
along the fold axis.

The mixed design comprises several categories of housing as well as a private clinic. The sectional alignment uses the natural slope of the site to provide two independent entrances: one for the apartments facing the external public spaces in the district, and one for the clinic, facing westwards for greater visibility on the side of the road to Meyrin. The volume presents a horizontal structure that sequences it while providing a high degree of architectural unity in the whole, based on the theme of the horizontal strip. The vertically patterned strips produce variations and vibrations with the play of incident light.

Site plan

Ground floor plan

Floor plan

Western facade

North facade

Longitudinal section

Cross section

group8, C1 Tower, Les Vergers, Meyrin, Geneva, 2013 - 2018

Program

Housing and private clinic

Specifications

78% housing occupation, 22% private clinic (operating rooms, doctor offices and patient rooms)
High energy standard – Minergie-A

Client

Coopérative Immobilière Le Niton (housing), BMG immobilier SA (private clinic)

Commission type

Parallel study, winning project

Photo credits

©Walter Mair