Gilamont II

The site, a former industrial area that has fallen into disuse, is located along the Veveyse river, a few hundred metres north of the centre of Vevey.
Bordered by the river to the west and Avenue de Gilamont to the east, the 4,303 m² plot is trapezoidal in shape, narrowing towards the south. The site is strongly polarised between Avenue de Gilamont, enclosed by a continuous belt of relatively tall buildings, and a vast open area bordering the opposite bank of the Veveyse river, which is home to Coppet's sports facilities.

The project responds to the specific character of the context, between closure and openness, nuisances and clearances, within the framework of a PGA (General Urban Plan) that recommends contiguous order and high occupancy density, with a CUS (Coefficient of Use of Space) of 0.41.

These conditions explain the main interest and challenge of the project: to respond to the need for densification of the urban fabric, while offering quality housing in a unique and exceptional environment.

This desire explains why great attention has been paid to meticulous research into urban form and the right relationship between solids and voids, research that was based on the exploration of some thirty layout variants, under the attentive and involved eye of the Vevey Municipal Planning Department.

The chosen solution, in the shape of an ‘S’, creates distance from the buildings to the east and avoids a ‘corridor’ effect along the street, while highlighting the frontage on the Veveyse river and its surroundings. The reversal of the north wing avoids an awkward view, while establishing a dialogue with the Gilamont I building, constructed in 2015 by RDR architects.

The building houses 112 apartments and two commercial spaces, totalling 10,391 m².
The apartments, 20% of which are reserved for public housing, consist mainly of 2.5 and 3.5 rooms, supplemented by 1.5 and 4.5 rooms. These are spread over six floors and an attic, while the lower ground floor, along the Veveyse promenade, houses six semi-detached 2½-room ‘maisonettes’ with private gardens.

The volume is divided into three building sections, the articulation of which is clearly expressed on the façade. Each wing combines dual-aspect flats - for the three-and-a-half and four-and-a-half-room flats - and single-aspect flats - for the two-and-a-half-room flats - served by internal vertical circulation cores. Each flat has a generous balcony enclosed by slatted blinds that provide good sun protection, particularly on the west side, as well as privacy for the living rooms facing Avenue de Gilamont.

The character of the building is expressed through the contrast between façades with balconies and façades with openings, with a guiding principle – the expression of horizontals – their differentiation being expressed through form and materials.
The continuous balconies, whose horizontal lines are emphasised by anodised aluminium slab heads and the random opening and closing of the blinds, create a dominant metallic image.
The bedroom façades are composed of concrete walls lined with peripheral insulation, similar to the façades of Gilamont I, with which the project establishes a dialogue. The expression of a mineral façade with holes is nuanced by the use of horizontal metal strips. This feature, combined with an alternating distribution of openings, helps to dematerialise and lighten the façades. The choice of deliberately sober colours helps to differentiate the different parts of the building.

The outdoor public spaces, which are limited due to the high density, consist of a green area with access points and children's play areas along Avenue de Gilamont, and a dry square along the promenade that runs alongside the Veveyse river.