“The architecture of Passage Morillons blends harmoniously with the Nations neighbourhood, while being elegant and open…”

Marc Widmann, Associate Architect at Sylla Widmann Architectes SA and Manager of the Passage Morillons development presents the architectural concept that will take shape in the Nations district.

If we were to tell the story of Passage Morillons, it would begin like this: “It is an appealing place to live, in the heart of a neighbourhood with beautiful buildings and big green spaces…” The Nations neighbourhood, where the development is located, is indeed part of a built heritage that is awash with green spaces. The whole forms a harmonious natural and built landscape that exudes an immediate sense of balance and peacefulness.

“The Nations neighbourhood is in the full throes of transition, so we felt it was important to integrate the architecture of Passage Morillons in this prestigious neighbourhood, while bringing vitality and dynamism to its revitalisation,” says the architect. Indeed, this high energy performing (HEP) development aims to constructively contribute to the diversity and transformation of the neighbourhood.

Providing a local base in the heart of an international neighbourhood

“The uniqueness of the development is that it offers several features in one place. It may at first glance seem surprising to incorporate housing into this part of Geneva which has, historically, been geared towards international organisations. In truth, we see this is as one of the strengths of Passage Morillons today: the integration of housing, shops, and services brings vitality and liveliness to this area for the wellbeing of all.” 

Designing a green and open haven

“The cornerstone: a passageway open to all and a pedestrian focus” 

The development’s shape is unprecedented, and designed to ensure the buildings are in harmony with the surrounding nature: “This development prioritises setting the buildings in a truly wooded area. Indeed, the plot of land on which Passage Morillons is located looks like a green oasis. We therefore decided to bring the three buildings together at the heart of the site, leaving the trees to breathe around them, while making the whole complex clearly visible from the future Route des Nations. Here, the cornerstone is a ‘passageway’ open to all and a pedestrian focus: indeed, from the roads and bike paths on the outer periphery, a series of paths crisscross the wooded areas, leading to the buildings”.

Creating a lively and friendly passageway

Like an accessible island, this new urban form offers a new place for exchanges and encounters in the Nations neighbourhood.  Of differing heights, the three buildings are staggered and linked by a passageway providing access to a two-storey commercial area. The paths are fluid, sometimes covered to access the businesses, sometimes in the open air, running alongside the green spaces.

“The proximity of the buildings and the continuous flow of the area create a harmonious whole, between the scale of the isolated buildings in the area and the park-city of the Nations Garden (Jardin des Nations). The pockets around the buildings form courtyards, clearings, and public gardens with playgrounds and outdoor extensions for the restaurant terraces. Its commercial area and outdoor spaces incorporate services that will benefit everyone.

Indeed, at Passage Morillons, everyone will be able to do their shopping, eat out, and meet up with colleagues or friends on a neighbourhood terrace.

Elegantly set in the landscape

With its free form, the development – whose buildings don’t follow the streets, but are integrated into the green spaces – can be imagined as a three-leaf clover set in a clearing. In a bright beige colour, the buildings’ elegant metal outer shell is perfectly suited to both residential and office use and harmonises with the green surroundings.

“This aesthetic detail is the hallmark of Passage Morillons, echoing the nearby WHO façade. Its articulated structure gives the three buildings a unified look.”

Developing a sustainable energy concept

Meeting the high energy performance (HEP) criteria, the development aims to earn the Minergie-P certification. Photovoltaic panels will be installed on the roofs of the three buildings as well as on the covered passageway.

Passage Morillons marks the revitalisation of this renowned neighbourhood, where the activities of international organisations and companies will be opened up to Geneva life in a sustainable manner, offering a lively, active hub open to one and all.

Find out more about the project