History of the cooperative
Press review (only available in French) Ciguë’s magasine (only available in French)
The history of the cooperative through 30 dates
1985: The CUAE (University Conference of the Students Association) is in turmoil,
aiming to bring forward a student’s cooperative project for accommodation, that is in
the making since a long time.
18th of April 1986: Constitutive Assembly of the Ciguë (Student’s Geneva real estate
university cooperative). More than a dozen of university students join in.
12th of June 1986: A first agreement for loan use is signed with the City of Geneva:
8 apartments at 24 rue de Montbrillant are lent to the Ciguë. 18 cooperators are
accommodated there in August, until July 1987.
December 1986: In Bern, the Ciguë and the UNES (National Union of Students of
Switzerland), organize a conference about the student cooperative housings. After this
conference, a national fund for cooperative accommodation of young people in
training is created.
5th of Oct. 1988: The Ciguë takes part in the debates of the “General states against
the housing crises” and approves of the Charter 88, which is its outcome.
20th of June 1989: The Administrative Council of the City of Geneva grants the Ciguë
a surface right in Îlot 13.
November 1989: Symbolic Occupation in Uni Dufour within the national action for
housing organized by UNES.
23rd of May 1992: The Ciguë and the CUAE organize “The housing geneva assizes”.
Managers and political people are invited to talk about the housing shortage.
20th of April 1996: the Ciguë celebrates its 10 years in Bois-Gentil, a three villas
block (1987 – 2003).
January 1998: Opening of our first building 16-18, rue de Montbrillant.
June 2000: Membership to the Geneva Housing Cooperative’s Grouping. Founding
members.
2001: The obtaining of the California building in Pâquis, 70 studios.
2nd of September 2002: After obtaining the right of surface transferred by the city,
the Ciguë obtains the restoration project of Clos voltaire.
2003: The obtaining of the Tortue from the University of Geneva in the Malagnou
street. The State of Geneva becomes its owner in 2013.
April 2003: Creation and first delegates board meeting.
June 2003: Prize-winner of the fellowship for the Geneva State’s Sustainable
Development for the project « coquelicot », carried by the Ciguë and the CODHA.
2004-2012: The obtaining of the Libellules by the Emile-Dupont Foundation, 50
accommodated cooperators.
2004: Ending of the Ouches construction in partnership with the Codha cooperative.
20 students move in 2 big duplex that comply with the ecological label Minergie.
2004: Creation of the ecological charter.
February 2008: Creation of the attribution committee.
2009: Ending of the renovation of Clos-Voltaire, it accommodates 25 people in
training and a multi-purpose space for the Délices neighborhood.
2009: Opening of the Pavillons with 40 rooms and a big common room. With this
building, the Ciguë builds the first Minergie P-Eco building of Switzerland.
2010: Creation of the mediation committee which is now the group Tout’Ouïe.
2011: Creation of an Administration Council open to volunteers.
2011: Opening of the Coulouvrenière, a surface right with the City which allows the
housing of 48 students.
2012: The cooperative obtains a surface right in the future Eco neighborhood of the
Vergers in Meyrin; and obtains 15 % of the rights for building in the Saules street in
association with the Evolution and Codha cooperatives.
2013: Ending of the constructions in Pont d’arve, in right of surface with the FPLC, 25
new rooms.
2014-2016: 20 apartments in the Chemin de la Montagne, 50 rented rooms. Private
owner.
February 2015: Opening of the renovation and the transformation of Chaponnière,
48 new rooms.
February 2018: The arrival of the new inhabitants in the Vergers building within the
eco neighborhood of Meyrin.