Praille, Acacias, Vernets - PAV Etoile Sector
Located in the heart of the Praille Acacias Vernets (PAV) sector near Lancy-Pont-Rouge’s future CEVA station, Etoile is one of the main entrances of the city of Geneva, in Switzerland. The main challenge of urban regeneration in this area is to transform what is now a space of transition and connection to other areas of the city into one of its future centralities, making up almost half a million square meters of built surface, in a land with a total area of 14 ha. The proposal establishes seven urban principles that ensure the coherence of the design by the relationships that the various buildings establish with each other, allowing a phased implementation and construction as well.
The first principle recovers the typical Geneva’s block to delimit and design the various urban facades, emphasising the continuity of the historic city model, including the average height of the buildings. The interior of the blocks will be permeable and of semi-public use with gardens that integrate the general landscape design. In the Northeast corner of each block, some blocks rise to a height close to the Carouge Towers - the second principle - to gradually intensify urban density and thereby mark the new centre of PAV Etoile.
The third principle concerns the creation of two axes - one green and the other structuring - which intersect at the centre of the set, where the main square is designed - the fourth principle. A large park is designed along the green axis, exploring different urban situations and allowing different appropriations of living spaces, garden and cycling areas. The Drize River that is currently intubated in this area will be uncovered and diverted to follow the park.
The Praille axis, which connects Pont-Rouge to Carouge, is covered by the Route des Jeunes - the fifth principle - to accentuate the mobility axis that structures the set and where the central square is located. As a sixth principle, a third height is introduced for three towers with a maximum height of 172 m (about 50 floors), formally delimiting the new centre, giving it the desired density and visuality.
Finally, it is guaranteed a mixed occupation - the seventh principle - with at least 35% for collective housing. With the exception of the new courthouse building - which acquires the exceptional character of a detached building (but in close visual and formal relationship with the rest) - all the blocks have mixed uses, including housing, offices, shops and public facilities (these two programs, preferably located at ground floor and first floor level), to ensure a continuous and dynamic experience throughout the day.