Minergie

Energy-Efficient Timber Home near Geneva

This project was developed in collaboration with the Swiss engineering practice Charpente Concept, which was responsible for the detailed construction drawings, the tendering process and site supervision.

Choosing the Site

Finding a building plot for a detached house in Switzerland, and particularly in the Canton of Geneva, is increasingly challenging.

The selected site resulted from the subdivision of an existing property that included a traditional barn attached to a neighbouring house. Although the barn was demolished, the new house was designed to respect the scale and proportions of the former agricultural building. The use of timber also helped the project blend naturally into its surroundings, echoing the timber cladding traditionally found on local barns.

Architectural Design

Restricted by the permitted building footprint, the house is organised over three levels, including a partially daylit basement. Despite its compact form, the design benefits from multiple orientations, allowing abundant natural light to reach every living space throughout the day.

Areas

• Living area: 230 m²
• Partially finished basement

Technical Specifications

• MINERGIE® certified
• Reinforced concrete basement, including the mandatory civil protection shelter.
• Upper floors built with an insulated timber-frame structure.
• Intermediate floors and roof constructed with engineered timber box panels.
• Powder-coated aluminium windows and doors.
• External larch timber cladding, factory-stained.
• Steel roofing with copper gutters and rainwater downpipes.
• Timber and steel staircase.
• Timber flooring, ceramic tiles and polished concrete floors.
• Air-source heat pump providing heating and mechanical ventilation.