Front view of a neoclassical building with people relaxing on a lawn in front, surrounded by trees.

A grand neoclassical building with large columns and arched windows is seen from the front. In the foreground, people are relaxing on a grassy lawn, some sitting on blankets and others playing. Trees frame the scene, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere.

Glass bridge connecting two parts of a historical building with trees and a statue visible.
Stone building with arched windows and greenery, people near entrance, and a wall banner.
Landscape with grassy hill, trees, people, and a modern structure with glass facade.
Garden area with people and colorful sculptures in front of a historical building with arched windows.
Rooftop area with people and large text on building in background.
Interior of a modern space with high ceilings, large arched windows, colorful horse sculptures, and tiered seating.
Interior space with colorful artworks and people interacting, featuring mannequins in costumes.
Interior of a gallery with geometric art on the walls and abstract sculptures on pedestals, illuminated by large windows and skylights.
Aerial map view of a city layout featuring green spaces and pathways.
Site plan with black building outlines and green spaces in an urban area.
Line drawing of a building facade with trees.
Architectural section drawing of a museum building with highlighted underground levels.
Section drawing of a historical building with underground structures highlighted in red.
Architectural elevation drawing of a building with classical features and surrounding trees.
Site plan of the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva, featuring building outlines and surrounding green spaces.
Architectural floor plan with labeled rooms and corridors.
Floor plans of a building with multiple rooms and corridors, depicted in black and white.
Architectural floor plan with multiple rooms and corridors.
Floor plans of a building with detailed room and corridor layouts.
Architectural section drawing with buildings and trees.
Architectural section rendering showing a multi-story building with rooms and corridors, set against a backdrop of trees.
Section drawing of a museum with multiple floors and arched windows, showing labeled rooms and greenery in the background.
Architectural section and elevation drawings of a historical building with trees in the background.
Section drawings of a museum renovation project with annotations in French.
Architectural site plan of the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Geneva with building layouts and green spaces.

Story

An Urban Oasis of Culture and Nature

The Musée d’art et d’histoire renovation project in Geneva is a visionary endeavor that seeks to transform the museum into a dynamic cultural hub, seamlessly integrating the historical building with its lush surroundings. Positioned at the heart of Geneva, the museum is re-envisioned as a space that transcends traditional boundaries, embracing both artificial and natural elements to create an immersive environment for all.

The project proposes the creation of a vast vegetated void, consolidating existing green pockets into a cohesive landscape akin to the Parc des Bastions. This green transformation aims to triple the canopy cover and enhance permeable surfaces, fostering a sustainable urban environment. The design prioritizes adaptive reuse, preserving existing structures while introducing minimal new constructions, such as a conference room and delivery courtyard, alongside strategic underground passages.

  • Creation of a large vegetated void at the city scale

  • Tripling the canopy rate and enhancing permeable surfaces

  • Preservation and adaptive reuse of historical structures

  • Introduction of new volumes only where necessary

  • Integration of productive gardens and pedestrian promenades

Aspect Detail
Architect Cabinet
Location Geneva, Switzerland
Status Competition
Year 2025
Area 65,000 m²

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Facade: The facade includes classical architectural features such as large columns and arched windows, combined with modern glass elements.

Materials

  • Stone — Used in the construction of the historical building's facade.
  • Glass — Used in modern elements such as the glass bridge connecting sections of the building.

Construction / Systems

  • Adaptive Reuse: Preservation and reuse of existing structures, with minimal new constructions to maintain historical integrity.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Not specified
  • Lighting: Natural light is emphasized in interior spaces through large windows and skylights.

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