Studio led by Manon Portera and Valentine Maeder (apropå)

The role of an interior architect is to transform, renew, and replace spaces in response to changes in purpose, use, and the evolving identities of places. In the constantly transforming urban spaces, layers accumulate and overlap. These processes involve replacing a large amount of still viable materials with new raw materials. The semester atelier Redécouvrir invites us to raise awareness of the impacts of a project: understanding its chain of value, envisioning it in favor of the user, and rediscovering forgotten resources.

The atelier's case study focuses on a set of dilapidated housing units owned by La Codha housing cooperative in the center of Chêne-Bougeries. Currently in the study phase, the project consists of buildings to be renovated as well as a building zone. semester atelier Redécouvrir focuses on renovating the living spaces, taking into account that refurbishing a space is not just about adding a new layer, but rediscovering its past, context, and values.

Valuing what already exists requires a valuable period of observation: materials, openings, techniques, and spatial characteristics are identified, analyzed, and documented to fully understand the features of the spaces. The design process then proceeds in parallel with an exploration of the surrounding materials. Sourced from local resources or reuse channels, materials serve as inspiration and creative sources in the development of projects.