This competition is part of the Canton of Geneva’s Grands Projets, its major urbanization projects. Its objective is to define the general organization of the last two urban sites, lots A4 and A5, within the new district of Communaux d'Ambilly.

The proposed project is an obvious continuation of the system of five already-defined building complexes, each arranged around clearly-distinct public spaces. Our reflection focused on three phases that offer public spaces, semi-public gardens and different ways of grouping the structures.

PUBLIC SPACES – The public spaces extend outwards from the central avenue and slope gently down towards the low-rise housing district to the south-east. They do not really resemble either a square or a street, but rather a hybridisation of the two. The serrated and narrowing forms create successive, cascading sequences. Perpendicular passageways lead to the ground floor dwellings through an interplay of split-levels. These dynamic public spaces form a playground for children and meeting places for the inhabitants of these new urban spaces.

BUILT VOLUMES - The buildings are constructed around the public spaces and fit in between the 'garden courtyards'. U or N shapes in varying proportions provide a wide range of typological possibilities. The serif "typeface" allows the structures to reframe the landscape and partially enclose the passageways that are not so already. The courtyards, in contrast, open wide onto the landscape. These subtleties within the ground plan also make it possible to connect the different built volumes around the public spaces. The volumetric interlocking links the various constructions, which thus transcend their status as objects. The face of the public spaces will be controlled and a dialogue between the different facades will be sought. The buildings’ dimensions link the new urban sites along the central avenue with the existing residential areas. Through an interplay of cascading effects, progressions and interlocking, the volumes go from 7-floor to 3-floor structures.

PUBLIC GARDENS – The courtyards or gardens that open onto the landscape offer semi-public spaces that dialogue with each building. Their treatment is freer.