20 years anniversary of Burckhardt in Suisse romande
Twenty years ago, in 2004, Burckhardt started its practice in Geneva and Lausanne. How does one celebrate the anniversary of an architecture firm or branch that looks back on a history of success? It would be plausible to showcase an exhibition of our projects in the Romandie region – a collection of models, drawings and images representing the team’s work over the past 20 years. However, all these objects lack something crucial: the 1:1 spatial experience of any of the projects, which is what architecture truly is about. That’s why we chose to celebrate our anniversary by activating the actual space of one of our recent projects.
Collège Rousseau
We invited our guests to the Collège Rousseau in Geneva. After winning the competition in 2018, Burckhardt took on the task of renovating and extending Alain Ritter’s late modernist monument from 1969. From the outside, the intervention integrates discreetly with the existing building, avoiding manneristic gestures. The interior, however, presents a subtle contrast: while the original structure is concrete, the extension is built in timber, lending the space a warmer atmosphere while also offering a more sustainable alternative.
The Parcours
During their «parcours» through an installation with multiple projections across several floors, our guests explored the College’s architecture while discovering Burckhardt’s projects in Romandie and beyond.
An immersive experience
But we went further, asking: Could we offer more than a self-referential showcase? Could we recede and enable other forms of art? Isn’t that a specific quality architecture has to offer? The answer was yes. On July 4, the Collège Rousseau became a stage, inviting guests to partake in a choreography of sounds, light, scents, and tastes—creating an immersive experience that inspired connection, dialogue, and a memorable evening.
Impressions of the evening
Credits
Concept and Realization: Burckhardt Architecture and Plaisir d’offrir, Lily Matras
Culinary Art: Dîner d’été, Grace Gloria Denis
Light Design: Reverse Sunset, Kasper Raidam
Soudscapes: Aural Oral, Grace Gloria Denis; Concrete Harmonics, Katu
DJ Set: J/G (OMA)