Construction of 2 apartment blocks and a house in the centre of a village.

The coat of arms of the municipality of Tannay is highly evocative, reflecting the beautiful features of its territory. In a symbolic and stylised form, the coat of arms depicts the blue waves of Lake Geneva, the grandeur and power of nature, and the gentle presence of the hills. This particularly pleasant natural setting is part of a modern yet unspoilt environment. Nestled between the lake and the countryside, the village boasts excellent facilities and offers a wide range of cultural and sporting activities. Its proximity to the towns of Nyon and Geneva, both easily accessible by public transport, ensures it avoids rural isolation.

In the heart of the village, the streets are lined with simple buildings, often bordered by gardens. Hedges, boundary walls and courtyards complete the picture of a serene landscape where quality of life is evident at every turn. Close to the school, the castle and the Auberge du Lion d’Or, a lovely plot on Chemin des Molards embodies all these qualities. Rather narrow on the street side, the plot widens towards the rear, in a layout that is, all in all, quite traditional, with a farmhouse and a barn along the edge of the lane and, at the back, an orchard. Beneath the veneer of successive alterations carried out over the generations, the existing buildings still hold considerable potential, and all the elements are in place to redevelop the site.

Archival research provides insight into how the site has evolved over time. This historical analysis therefore encourages a development approach that is respectful of the site, taking into account the potential offered by the available land whilst remaining mindful of the specific characteristics of the existing built environment and the surrounding village landscape. These considerations lead to the design of a comprehensive project in which the construction of new buildings is in harmony with the preservation and enhancement of the existing heritage. A holistic approach conceived at a very early stage, in parallel with the local regulatory framework which, whilst highly restrictive, nevertheless mandates the conservation of the historic structure and densification along the secondary frontage. The scheme is intended to be entirely dedicated to the creation of housing. 

Les recherches en archives permettent de comprendre l’évolution du périmètre. Le diagnostic historique invite alors à penser un développement respectueux, tenant compte des potentialités offertes par les surfaces disponibles, mais en même temps attentif aux spécificités du tissu bâti et de la morphologie villageoise présente alentour. Les réflexions amènent à concevoir un projet global où la construction de nouveaux bâtiments s'inscrit en harmonie avec le maintien et la valorisation des éléments anciens. Une opération d’ensemble imaginée très en amont, en parallèle avec le cadre réglementaire communal qui, très contraignant, impose quoi qu’il en soit la conservation de la structure historique et une densification en second front. Le programme se veut entièrement dévolu à la création de logement.
 

The attention paid to the two new buildings at the rear of the plot meets the same requirements. The aim is once again to capture the site’s distinctive character, without falling into the trap of imitation, faux-antique styling, or mimicry that is as inappropriate as it is disingenuous. Given that this village area had previously been home only to fruit trees, the question becomes a delicate one: how does one build where there has never been a building before?

Part of the solution is realised through the arrangement of the building volumes, which follow the sweeping contours of the site. The building’s design, which creates a sense of dynamism through subtle off-axis angles, offers beautiful views of the neighbourhood without creating any direct visual confrontation. The design of the outdoor spaces also contributes to the building’s seamless integration, with gardens that are largely open and fluid, all further enhanced by the presence of an ancient path, now duly registered , ensuring unobstructed access through the village. The two small buildings thus take their place within a completely reimagined space. Their modest scale, compact form and sharply pitched roofs reflect the codes of traditional rural construction with a certain humility. The roof slopes remain unadorned and, with a deliberate concrete finish, the random openings in the façades prevent the all-too-common uniformity of modern housing estates.

This carefully considered simplicity is reflected in the interior layouts. Each flat offers a clear sense of space and generous rooms, arranged as duplexes spanning the ground floor and first floor, or as single-storey units in the attic. The build quality and construction details are meticulous, yet unostentatious. This approach is consistent with the character of the site, reflected even in the proven technical choices (heat pumps, solar roofing) which avoid the use of complex equipment that is difficult to maintain and of highly uncertain longevity. Concealed within the volume of the old barn, a garage ramp leads to a basement level capable of accommodating all parking requirements. Outside, the buildings stand side by side in a balanced dialogue where, without any particular hierarchy, the restrained contemporary style of the two new buildings echoes the traditional vocabulary of the renovated farmhouse and barn.

Spanning nearly ten years, this project has enabled the simultaneous restoration and development of part of the village fabric. A rare opportunity, realised through design choices that are both understated and clearly intelligible.