On a peri-urban site bordering the Jorat forest and offering stunning views of the Prealps, the construction of a housing complex and commercial spaces provides an opportunity to create a network of spaces. These spaces, ranging from intimate to public, converge at the centre of the site to define a village square that fosters social interactions and encounters.

The buildings are arranged in groups of three around a shared space, where the entrances are located. These groups are juxtaposed along a pathway connecting the site’s main elements. The interior of the site is entirely dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists. Visitor parking and covered bicycle sheds are distributed along the various access roads, close to the site entrances.

This configuration defines the following outdoor spaces, central to the life of the community: a playground to the south, protected by embankments and enjoying optimal sun exposure, and a vegetable garden to the east, offering an open view of the Prealps. To the north, the edge of the “Jorat forest” has been thickened into the site : groves of trees define the fringe oh the space.

The project is part of a sustainable construction approach. All the excavated soil is reused to build earth banks that reduce traffic noise from the Jorat road. Rainwater harvesting is optimised by a network of open channels that collect runoff water and converge into a retention basin. Rainwater from the roofs is collected to water the vegetable gardens as well.

• Other credits :
Architects : Pont 12 architectes
Pictures : Reto Duriet, Stefanie Wursh, Pascal Heyraud sàrl
Client : CODHA, with Ville de Lausanne

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