Studio led by Manon Portera & Valentine Maeder (apropå)

Assisted by Lola Jutzeler

Renovation has become a common practice and is part of the ordinary city landscape. Over time, built spaces evolve, adapt, transform, and disappear to address new needs. The studio Redécouvrir – joyaux ordinaires invites students to take a different look at these renewal processes and rediscover the resources that make up each project. Starting from its existing state, it uses its structure and environment as a source of inspiration, limiting the excessive use of material and favoring local, bio-sourced, or reused materials.

Often referring to material resources, it also reflects the methods of implementing a project. Behind each project and each material are the people involved. By exchanging and sharing, it values and benefits from their knowledge. It places the user at the center to design a project aligned with their needs and encourages their participation to enrich the conception.

For a semester, the studio focuses on the renovation of the old cellars of Bernex, a building dating back to the 18th century. Formerly used as a wine building for the City of Geneva, its future use will be oriented towards associations and sharing.