Vacheron Constantin Headquarters
Geneva, 2001-2005
This building serves as the manufacturing and administrative headquarters of Switzerland’s oldest watchmaking company. The concept for the project is based on the idea of a thin, flexible envelope. The exterior surface is formed from a metallic sheet that unrolls over the structure’s geometry, lifting to create a larger multistory portion of the building. The interior is clad with a wood veneer. The resulting space is sleek and precise outside, and warm and inviting inside. The logic of unrolling makes the building appear almost unenclosed. The envelope opens to welcome workers and visitors, admitting ample direct light on the north side and filtered light on the south. more
In contrast to the wood-and-metal envelope, major movement vectors are made of glass. In the multistory part of the building, for example, a glass atrium contains several circulation elements—walkways, stairs, and an elevator—all made of glass. The building rests on an artificial dip in the landscape that houses a naturally lit parking garage. Above the garage, in the lower, flat section of the envelope, a tranquil, airy courtyard extends through the building from east to west. The continuity of the monolithic metal cladding lends the building a visual and functional coherence and suggests a fluid relationship between management, design, and production in the company’s operations. back
Credits
SCHEDULE
Competition 1st prize, 2001
Completion, fall 2004
SIZE
80,000 sq. feet
BUDGET
$15,000,000
CLIENT
Vacheron-Constantin, Richemont
PHOTOGRAPHY
Peter Mauss/Esto, Christian Richters
TEAM
Lead Designer Bernard Tschumi. Competition, Schematic Design, Design Development: Joel Rutten, Ludovic Ghirardi, Jon Chace, Robert Holton, Valentin Bontjes van Beek, Kate Linker, Phu Hoang, Nicolas Martin, Michaela Metcalfe, Joel Aviles, Justin Moore, Adam Dayem, Allis Chee, Jane Kim, Liz Kim, with Véronique Descharrières. Construction Documents, Site Supervision: Véronique Descharrières, Christina Devizzi, Matteo Vigano, Alex Reid, Jean-Jacques Hubert, Antoine Santiard, Yann Brossier
Consultants: Structural: ARUP (Matt King) and SGI; HVAC : Enerconom; Electrical: Sherler; Facade: BCS; Landscape: Michel Desvigne; Mechanical: ARUP (Nigel Tonks), Wood: Dic Dauner; Construction Administration: Ortech; Bidding Documents: EMA, Geneva back
Program: Offices