Centre Saint-Antoine

As it approaches its third decade of existence, the operating conditions of the building itself, but also and above all, the significant urban planning changes throughout the area, have led to a parallel review of the shopping centre, its access points and internal circulation, as well as its capacity. The programme implemented by the project owner is based on the new possibilities offered by regulatory changes to the neighbourhood plan, obtained on the recommendation of the architectural firm in charge of the project. The initial dimensions and alignments strictly complied with the possibilities offered by the plan in force. The modification of the latter paved the way for the definition of new volumes, allowing a gain of approximately 1,500 m² of floor space for the benefit of the existing shops. Saint-Antoine is thus in line with the strategy defined by its owner for all of its six shopping centres. In Vevey, this strategy is the driving force behind a much-needed upgrade, given the emergence of competing shops in the immediate vicinity.

The project involves extending the building and adding an extra floor on the Avenue Général-Guisan side. This measure will harmonise the building's dimensions with those of its neighbours. With its new façade, the building presents itself, on the same side, as a large showcase which, combined with an imposing totem of signs, enhances the visual impact of the Centre, particularly in the evening, with careful attention paid to the lighting of the entrance and shop windows, as well as the eaves, whose colour variation is controlled by pre-set scenarios. The complete redevelopment of the interior spaces and the large central mall is the result of a collaboration with a British firm specialising in this type of design. Café terraces have been redesigned, bringing conviviality and social life to the Centre. The aim is to create an image of visual transparency, to give a contemporary feel and to offer a sense of lightness with new glass and lighting elements. Similarly, the public space at the foot of the building has also been redesigned, contributing to the enhancement of this urban area, particularly in terms of how it is perceived by pedestrians. A significant addition is the monumental work by sculptor Etienne Krähenbühl, which occupies the centre of the Mall: under the large skylight that provides ample natural light, it imposes its slender image. Named ‘Onde’ (Wave), it consists of 300 metal blades, measuring six to eighty centimetres wide. These elements, suspended from 600 nickel-titanium alloy wires, form a diamond shape that extends over three levels and undulates randomly under the effect of an artificial air current. As a result, both the exterior and interior have undergone a considerable change in appearance. After more than 35 years of existence, all of the functions, the envelope and the interior spaces, including vertical circulation, have been reviewed and adapted to meet not only commercial requirements, but also the technical, architectural and urban planning requirements of our time.