swiss architecture office personeni raffaele schärer has completed the city hall for bernex, a developing urban center situated near geneva. the building, along with the site’s other existing structures, also creates a large public square capable of hosting official ceremonies, markets and festivals.

personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland designboom
the building is integrated into a north facing slope
image © roland halbe
all images courtesy of personeni raffaele schärer architects

 

 

integrated into a north facing slope, the scheme by PRS contains three misaligned levels that are all directly linked to adjacent outdoor space. each storey features glass curtain walls that provide internal rooms with sweeping external views. alongside administrative areas, the city hall site also houses meeting rooms, archives and an exhibition space.

personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland designboom
the scheme contains three deliberately misaligned levels
image © roland halbe

personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland designboom
each storey features glass curtain walls that provide internal rooms with generous external views
image © roland halbe

personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland designboom
alongside administrative areas, the city hall site also houses meeting rooms, archives and an exhibition space
image © roland halbe

personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland designboom
internal circulation routes are brightly illuminated
image © roland halbe

personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland designboom
floor-to-ceiling glazing is used throughout
image © roland halbe

personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland designboom
the scheme presents sweeping views across the region
image © roland halbe

personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland designboom
a large meeting room features a horseshoe shaped desk
image © roland halbe

personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland designboom
the site is a developing urban center situated near geneva
image © roland halbe

 

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personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 
personeni raffaele scharer bernex city hall geneva switzerland
 

 

project info:

 

architects: personeni raffaele schärer architectes
client / user: commune de bernex / bernex municipality
location: rue de bernex 311, 1233 bernex, switzerland
project timeline: open architectural competition first prize 2009, construction 2010-2013