This urban area is located in Grange-Canal, on the outskirts of Geneva. In Chêne-Bougeries, these former villa districts are now development zones with new building coefficients allowing for urban densification.
The aim of this project, which began in the 1990s, is to integrate a residential area into the heart of a block of detached houses. We were directly commissioned by the client in the summer of 2018 to bring a fresh perspective and propose a new approach to a project that had reached a dead end.
A residential area built on a concrete slab, transformed into a green oasis
The unique feature of this plot is its location between two urban areas. Major roads are nearby, but none cross the land. Its position in the middle of a residential neighborhood of villas reinforces the impression of being in a green oasis.
Access to the heart of the block is via a preserved former manor house. Adjacent to it is a parking area and a meadow with plantings, creating a welcoming space. The rest of the site is accessible only via winding pedestrian paths.
On the periphery, some existing trees have been preserved and enhanced by planting shrubs, bushes, and meadows, creating a rustic, shrubby buffer. The central area, on the other hand, is more structured with lawns, ginkgo trees, and clipped beech hedges. We also used fastigiate trees to provide privacy for the homes.
Creating a haven of peace in an urban environment
Our approach for this residential area was to recreate a very natural atmosphere, to make the presence of the underground parking garage less noticeable. We took a completely different approach from the existing project by increasing pedestrian access and eliminating emergency exits. Around the perimeter of the site, the extensive planting scheme primarily features native species. The complexity of this project lies in the heart of the block, where we had to recreate vegetation with a pastoral feel, despite the constraints of planting on concrete slabs.
A complex project where we can exercise our art of diplomacy
Our greatest achievement on this project? Reviving a stalled construction site by offering a fresh perspective. One of the reasons we were directly appointed by the client is our excellent working relationship with the contractors, as well as our diplomatic and negotiation skills. It is the human qualities of the Arfolia firm that allow us to navigate this type of complex mission with confidence.
Since the project was completed, the vegetation has grown very well and offers the residents of this residential area a haven of nature in the city. Mission accomplished!
