The Audemars Piguet factory in Le Brassus – at the environmental cutting edge

Content gives form

The structure, made up of simple spaces under a plain gable roof, harmonises with the village’s houses. The building is dark in colour and articulated to the impression of mass. Its comb shape follows the organization of the crafts being performed within. The main section is built parallel to the stream. It houses a visitors’ entrance, an area for incoming goods, and offices for production support activities. Perpendicular to the main building are two 60-metre-long wings. One houses all the watchmaking workshops and is dedicated to the making of movements. The other is for the finishing and logistics. The north-south orientation of the wings ensures uniform natural lighting as well as limited temperature fluctuations.

Quoting the architect

“The workshops at the Manufacture des Forges were conceived to meet four requirements:  quality of lighting, the view outside, volume and surface of the premises and the colour and treatment of the surfaces. The interior of the building is organized around four axes: fostering movement of people, organization as per sectors of activity, components and information flow”. Dolci Architectes

Sustainable environment

- First industrial building in Switzerland to earn the Minergie- ECO® seal, an evolution of the Minergie label for environmental excellence.

- The main criteria include heat and power savings, quality and neutrality of materials for users and the environment.

- Wood heating system and set up of a district heating system synergising with the Le Brassus municipalityContent gives form.

Careful choice of materials favouring recycling and environmentally friendly disposal: reinforced concrete and metal structure, fibrocement plate, natural anodised glazing made of aluminum; solvent-free epoxy resin floor covering, parquet from certified forests, and water-based paints for the walls 

The stream diverted by the building and the changes in landscape have been in an environmentally compatible fashion. Power lines have been buried. A special technology was deployed to protect against harmful magnetic fields. 

Audemars Piguet, Manufacture des Forges, Le Brassus

The building in numbers

• Grounds area: 24,785 m2
• Total floor space: 12,200 m2
• Volume: 48,400 m3
• Available work stations: 300
• Underground parking spaces: 90