Herzog & de Meuron has won an international contest for designing new headquarters for the Swiss private bank, Lombard Odier. The new office building will reside by Lake Geneva in Bellevue, Switzerland.
As the theme of the contest was ‘One Roof’ design, the firm’s proposal featured one building with equally eminent glazed facades and large floorplates held by lean columns.
Courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron
“A stone-clad bunker would no longer be in keeping with the image of a contemporary bank,” commented Pierre de Meuron. “We have designed a transparent, elegant, and measured building; as such, its architecture reflects the vision and values of Lombard Odier. The form and appearance of our project are not due to aesthetic preference. Our intention is to enable all occupants of the new head office to fully appreciate the surrounding natural environment.”
Spread across an area of 27,400 square meters, the project will house 2,600 staff members, and it will house smart workspaces to enable the employees to achieve optimum performance.
Courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron
“We were immediately struck by the project’s timelessness, personality, and integration in its natural environment. The building will be airy and will look amazing from the ground, lake, and sky,” explained the Senior Managing Partner of Lombard Odier, Patrick Odier. “Everything has been designed to inspire creativity and teamwork in a dynamic and motivating working environment. Our clients will benefit from an exceptional venue which is easy to access and will provide all of our services and expertise under one roof.”
“At the heart of our values has always been the concept of sustainable development, combining environmental, social, and economic considerations,” Odier added. “This building integrates this concern perfectly. In particular, it will meet the highest standards of sustainable development and employ the most efficient technology available, particularly in terms of energy-saving. The quality of working conditions will be an integral part of this ecosystem.”
The HQ is slated for completion in 2021.
