Headquarters SPG

The Italian firm Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti designed the reconversion and extension of an existing building in Geneva, Switzerland, starting with the definition of a sophisticated architectural envelope.

Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti has designed the new Headquarters of the Swiss Société Privée de Gérance (SPG), built on Route de Chêne, at the gates of the historical centre of Geneva. The work involved the reconversion and extension of the existing building, starting with the definition of a sophisticated architectural envelope which transformed the headquarters into a volume with vibratile materiality and seemingly elusive outlines: a device that promotes the energy effciency of the building.

Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, New Headquarters of SPG, Geneva, Switzerland, 2016
Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, New Headquarters of SPG, Geneva, Switzerland, 2016
Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, New Headquarters of SPG, Geneva, Switzerland, 2016
Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, New Headquarters of SPG, Geneva, Switzerland, 2016
Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, New Headquarters of SPG, site plan
Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, New Headquarters of SPG, ground floor
Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, New Headquarters of SPG, park plan
Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, New Headquarters of SPG, seventh floor
Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, Nuovi Headquarter della SPG, section
Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, New Headquarters of SPG, park section
Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, New Headquarters of SPG, elevation
Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, New Headquarters of SPG, elevation

  The quality of the work spaces is a central theme of the project which, through the original system that can be seen on the facade, provides the cue for a new architectural solution with strong aesthetic value and high energy sustainability. The glass facade meets the twofold need of ensuring solar shading for the interiors and at the same time allowing maximum visual permeability for the surrounding environment.

It also allows the acoustic and thermal insulation performances of the building to be improved: the double skin means the envelope can be naturally ventilated and the perimeter ventilation system combined with the internal forced ventilation system reduces the overall energy consumption. The steel structural elements on the facade, produced by Stahlbau Pichler, create a modular rhythm and reflect on the glass shading panels giving material weight to the light reflections.

Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti, New Headquarters of SPG, Geneva, Switzerland, 2016


New Headquarters of SPG Société Privée de Gérance, Geneva, Switzerland
Program:
office building
Architect: Giovanni Vaccarini Architetti
Technical direction: Fossati Architectes SA
Design team: Francesca Di Giannantonio, Alice Cerigioni, Luisa Di Blasio, Ida Blasioli, Anthony Bove, Alfonso Di Felice, Matteo Mucciante, Daniele Silvestri, Giuditta Maria Lelli
Structural engineering: Wintsch&Cie
Facade engineering: BCS SA
Lighting design for the facade: SIMOS
Facades: Stahlbau Pichler
Video: “Deep into the Surface”. Produced by the Piranesi experience; directed by Claudio Esposito; photography Fabio Paolucci; original soundtrack: Populous
Area:
3,080 sqm
Completion: 2016