TYPE OF PROPERTY
House, Annex
LOCATION
Veyrier
DATE
2022
DURATION
3 months
Customer objectives
Complete transformation of an existing volume into a bright and cohesive living space.
A complete renovation of an annex located in Veyrier, in the canton of Geneva, aimed at transforming an abandoned space into a habitable, comfortable volume aligned with the main house.
A typical existing condition of 1960s buildings in Geneva
In collaboration with the architect Aurélie Monnet Kasisi, we worked on an annex which had the classic characteristics of its time: a low-performance envelope, limited openings and technical installations which were already modest at the time, and which became obsolete over time due to lack of maintenance.
The neglected space no longer served any real purpose. Poorly insulated, dimly lit and rigidly organized, it generated a feeling of discomfort, with cold in winter, overheating in summer and the need for a complete overhaul of the space and all the materials.
Complete and controlled takeover: keep the essentials, transform the rest
We approached this project as a complete overhaul, retaining only the relevant elements – walls and roof – in order to start again on a sound basis, without reproducing existing defects.
The project was structured around five main areas:
Permits, Feasibility, Architectural design, Scope of intervention, Budget.
Before any intervention, we precisely surveyed the existing situation and analyzed the sensitive points: structure, networks, connections, levels and any potential pathologies.
This approach helps to secure decisions and avoid late adjustments.
Optimization of the building envelope, techniques and volume
The intervention focused on a coherent transformation of all components:
- Demolition and removal of all interior elements
- Building envelope reinforcement and insulation
- Replacement of joinery
- Complete upgrade of electrical and sanitary networks
- Upgrade your heating system for comfort and energy efficiency
- Simplification of the interior layout to improve flow and light with the construction of a kitchen-living room, bathroom, and bedroom
The choice to connect the annex to the main heating system, with underfloor heating, improved thermal comfort while freeing up space.
The ventilation and natural light sources have also been redesigned to improve the quality of daily use.
A measured architectural style, somewhere between old and contemporary
The intervention is part of a logic of continuity to modernize without erasing.
The aesthetic choices are based on simple materials, calm colors and clean lines, in order to preserve the readability of the building while integrating it into current use.
In Veyrier, as is often the case in the canton of Geneva, this dialogue between the existing and the contemporary works when it remains controlled and legible.
Discover the structured approach to residential renovation at COLLET HOMES
The result: a renovated, reintegrated, comfortable and sustainable space
The annex now offers a coherent, bright and comfortable space, fully integrated into the property and complementing the main house as a logical continuation.
Circulation is simplified, natural light is better utilized, and thermal comfort is significantly improved.
The connection to central heating during this project enabled a mutual and synchronized energy renovation of the main villa and the annex 2 years later, by replacing the oil boiler with a heat pump.
The space has regained a clear function and a quality of sustainable use.
Valuing an existing volume within the Geneva context
In a local context where every usable surface counts, renovating an annex allows a property to be repositioned with more coherence and increases the value of the real estate.
This is not a superficial transformation, but a complete upgrade, from comfort to performance, from use to the overall perception of the property.
Annex renovation in Geneva: structuring before transforming
Renovating a 1960s annex in Veyrier involves more than just aesthetic improvements. It requires structuring the project from the outset, integrating local constraints, and carefully managing each stage of the transformation.
When the framework is defined from the outset, what already exists can once again become a real asset.
