The Swiss private bank Lombard Odier has chosen Herzog & de Meuron to design its new global headquarters in Bellevue, Switzerland on Lake Geneva - the project will be developed in collaboration with local firm Favre & Guth. After announced as the winners of an invited competition, Lombard Odier and Herzog & de Meuron have unveiled conceptual plans for an ambitious architectural project, which is conceived to be completed in 2021. 

The project features ultra-contemporary architecture that combines openness to its surroundings with elegance and innovation. This project was selected following a competition between eight local and international architectural firms. 

"Geneva-based firm Favre & Guth will work with the winner to implement this major assignment," said Lombard Odier. Lombard Odier’s new head office will be able to accommodate up to 2,600 workstations.

Located on a 27,400-square-metre plot of land bordering on Lake Geneva in Bellevue - north of Geneva, the project will feature an auditorium, providing 600-seating place and a staff restaurant.

Assembling all functions under "One Roof", which was also the title of the international architecture competition, Herzog & de Meuron's design scheme will consist of a single building with neither a front nor a back - all sides are treated equally. The most salient feature of the building are the generously cantilevered, curved and conspicuously slender floor slabs.

"A stone-clad bunker would no longer be in keeping with the image of a contemporary bank. We have designed a transparent, elegant and measured building; as such, its architecture reflects the vision and values of Lombard Odier," said Pierre de Meuron. 

"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," he added.

In keeping with its vision of tradition and innovation – as exemplified by its "Rethink Everything" philosophy, this new, cutting-edge site combines flexibility with technological innovation, as well as strengthening synergies, collaboration and access by our clients to the Group’s various business lines.

The new head office will be a stone’s throw from Les Tuileries station just a six minute train journey from Cornavin station in Geneva, which will connect to the future Léman Express rail network. It is close to the A1 motorway and five minutes from Geneva Cointrin airport by car.

"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," stressed Patrick Odier, Senior Managing Partner of Lombard Odier. 

"Everything has been designed to inspire creativity and team work 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," added Patrick Odier.

Construction is expected to start in early 2019 and finish by the end of 2021.

All the projects submitted, including the winning one, will be exhibited to the public from 8 to 23 December 2017 at Galerie Heritage, 25 rue du Perron, Geneva.

All images courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron

> via Herzog & de Meuron / Lombard Odier