Coulouvrenière

Built lengthwise on a very narrow parcel of land and singularly oriented northward, the Coulouvrenière fits narrowly in with the surrounding buildings. Nonetheless, it was possible to integrate the building into the neighbourhood, re-valuing an otherwise neglected piece of land. It houses 48 students and people in training in large flatshares that share a common room as well as a vast rooftop terrace.

The innovative particularities of this project are manifest in its energy production. The system installed consists of accumulating solar energy through two 10’000 liter water reserves. This seasonal accumulation not only provides the energy for hot water, but also for the buildings heating system. It has the potential to provide 100% of the building’s energy needs by way of solar power.

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Rue de la Coulouvrenière 26

Completed in 2011
Architect: Charles Pictet Architecte
Right of use contract on land owned by the City of Geneva
Minergie P et Eco labels (ecological ranking)
Grants: Ocen, Etat de Genève
Donations: Loterie Romande
Distinctions: Hase de bronze aux distinctions die Besten Hochparterre 2012, Distinction Romande d’Architecture 2014, prix Arc Award 2014
8 apartments
48 rooms
1 common room with rooftop terrace
1 commercial space (ground floor)