Renovating Geneva's lakeside heritage

Built at the very end of the 19th century against a backdrop of major changes to the shores of Lake Geneva, this remarkable house is the result of a collaboration between the architect Gustave Brocher and the builder Élisée Streit-Baron. On the plot, the two professionals created an ambitious residence that broke with the architectural trends of the time. Whilst the construction reflects the owner’s high standard of living, the architectural style draws inspiration from neo-Norman seaside architecture—a style that, whilst rare, was not unheard of on the lake’s shores. Rooted in a northern regional style, the design is characterised by timber-framed or polychrome brick structures, all gathered into a compact volume beneath a sloping roof. With a three-bay layout and a two-storey footprint, the house stands in the middle of a superb park, largely facing the grey and blue waters of the lake. On the side of the access road, on either side of the main building itself and designed in the same architectural language, two outbuildings symmetrically mark the entrance to the property.

A marvel of elegance, this property has been altered over the decades to suit changing tastes, yet has never lost its soul. Whether through landscaping or interior renovations, these changes bear witness to successive owners who were deeply committed to the site and whose obvious attachment to the building is beyond doubt.
In the 2010s, the house still possessed numerous historic features, often in a state of extreme disrepair, with outdated finishes and standards that were largely obsolete. The task now is to rediscover the building’s DNA, its intrinsic identity forged over time, without ostentatious modernisation or nostalgic nostalgia. The clarity of the vision will be established on the basis of meticulous archival research. The history of the house is thus gradually revealed through period documents, and the architectural project is developed on the basis of reliable, factual sources, supported by surveys and test pits carried out on site.

The most spectacular aspect of the restoration is the reconstruction of the spire, which was demolished in 1947; thanks to valuable iconographic sources, it has been rebuilt to provide a faithful interpretation of the original façade. The meticulous execution restores the overall proportions, the materials and, down to the smallest detail, the decorative elements. From the spire itself to the complex form of the roof, this is evident, for example, in the treatment of the small central dormer, all the ornamental metalwork, and the geometric patterns painted on the slates.
Subtle interior alterations promote a fluid flow between the rooms, without compromising the historic fabric. Preserving the layout of the main spaces has thus made it possible to retain the wood panelling, the moulded ceiling cornices, and the parquet floors with their varied patterns and combination of wood species that adorn the adjoining salons on the ground floor. The simpler, attractive polychrome cement tiles in the entrance hall and the herringbone parquet floors on the upper floors have also been retained.

Careful consideration was given to replacing old, badly damaged features and the eclectic fittings that had accumulated over the years. The chosen options give pride of place to a certain art of building, thanks to the use of fine materials and matt finishes, already almost weathered. These are references that stand the test of time and can still be found in the classic choice of sanitary ware or in the creation of certain built-in units with clean lines. Conversely, one can also highlight the presence of decorative elements of undeniable quality, left virtually untouched so as not to compromise their historical value (figurative patterned wallpaper, stained-glass windows on the courtyard façade, marble fireplaces or a tiled stove with a curved dome). These design principles, which harmonise the existing structure with the new additions, have been applied from the basement to the attic, both inside and out, to the main house as well as the outbuildings, whose cladding has been beautifully refurbished.
Preserving the building’s identity, restoring its former splendour, and at the same time embracing modern aesthetics and comfort has not been a straightforward task. Whilst the choices often gave rise to serious doubts, the practical tasks of restoration and reconstruction of the interiors, the discreet and effective upgrading to technical standards, the enhancement of the outdoor areas, and the attention paid to the two outbuildings ultimately gave this built and landscaped complex a sense of genuine coherence. Set within its grounds, the house has regained a sense of balanced harmony. Facing the waters of Lake Geneva, in what appears to be one of the canton’s most beautiful sites, it fully embraces its past and looks to the future with serenity.