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Architects: Sujets Objets
- Area: 849 m²
- Year: 2020
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Photographs:Sven Högger, Charly Jolliet
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Manufacturers: Forster Profilsysteme, Kästli Storen, Montana Bausysteme AG, Morand
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Text description provided by the architects. In a context characterized by transformed or entirely replaced industrial buildings, the project preserves and extends by one floor the existing building of HEAD-Geneva (School of Arts and Design), built by architect Jean Erb in 1948 and classified as heritage of the 20th century.
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The additional floor of 800m2 contains workshops, classrooms and offices. It adopts a simple, orthogonal and free plan, whose specificity lies in the alteration of the existing structural rhythm. In doing so, the new floor plan frees itself from corridors, and offers a generous and continuous living space.
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The extension is organized under a large metallic frame which gives rhythm to the interiors. The project is defined by a perimeter, a simple limit that draws generic, efficient and flexible spaces. The rationality of the project is altered by precise moments where a few controlled irregularities are to be found.
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A sculptural staircase is installed in the full-height void which marks the main access to the building. The technical elements cross the space freely, sometimes imposing their proper logic to the whole. A disgorger is carefully located on the east façade. A column intended to take up the loads of the metal frame in case of fire, remains floating.
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The additional floor has the ambition to be read both in the continuity of the existing building, and as an independent volume. A box, within which lies a series of exceptions, specificities, fireworks.
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