{"id":35095,"date":"2025-09-09T15:38:04","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T13:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/burckhardt.swiss\/?post_type=project&p=35095"},"modified":"2025-10-01T14:36:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T12:36:15","slug":"le-mervelet-geneva","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/burckhardt.swiss\/en\/project\/le-mervelet-geneva\/","title":{"rendered":"Le Mervelet, Geneva"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Le Mervelet, Geneva\n <\/h1>\n

The Geneva neighborhood of Le Mervelet, previously characterized by detached villas, is gradually being densified. Here, the housing cooperative Les Ailes has realized a compact residential building with 26 units that sets a distinct architectural accent with its white ceramic fa\u00e7ade. By incorporating an ice storage system, the project also contributes to energy-efficient construction.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Client<\/strong>\n

Coop\u00e9rative d'Habitation "Les Ailes"<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Year<\/strong>\n

2019<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Task<\/strong>\n

Direct comission<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Photos<\/strong>\n

Thomas Jantscher<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Typology<\/strong>\n

Residential accommodation<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Office<\/strong>\n

\n Geneva, Schweiz<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Between retreat and public<\/strong><\/strong> life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Set back generously from the street, the building creates a spacious green threshold, marked by an old cedar tree. A double-height entrance hall connects the inside and outside spaces. The result is a structure that translates the spatial generosity of the surrounding villas into a denser context.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Materiality<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ventilated fa\u00e7ade is clad in white glazed ceramic elements, whose softly curved profiles create depth and reflections of light. Depending on the time of day, the sun\u2019s path and the silhouette of the cedar are mirrored on the surface, reinforcing a lively connection with the surroundings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Layout<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The building follows a simple, functional organization: a central core serves four apartments per floor – two through-units and two single-aspect units, each with generous balconies or loggias.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ice-Sol: Energy from the sun and ice<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the first time in a Geneva multi-family building, the Ice-Sol system has been applied. This hybrid heating method combines solar energy with the latent heat stored in water.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Ice store in the morning, rising temperature<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ice storage during the night<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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It consists of three main components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. An uncovered solar thermal collector<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. A water-to-water heat pump<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. A central ice storage tank<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    During the warmer months, solar energy alone covers nearly all heating and hot water needs, leaving the heat pump inactive. In the colder season, the heat pump draws on the energy released when the water in the storage tank freezes. Once sufficient solar input returns, the ice melts and the cycle begins again – efficient and with minimal losses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    Project plans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n \n