The new Vacheron Constantin headquarters: dynamic and timeless

A timeless structure in contemporary style

The building combines a sense of dynamics dynamism with an aura of continuity: a metal envelope, symbolizing the flux of time, envelops a concrete structure, which, in turn, embodies durability and continuity. The luminous interior spaces were conceived with accessibility, depth and transparency in mind, in order to ensure the smooth flow between the different departments. This ensures corporate growth that favours values such as creativity and quality rather than merely focusing on generating more space.

Site evolution

Vacheron Constantin once again put its trust in Bernard Tschumi; the extension work aimed at doubling  the current production area began in January 2013.

Quoting the architect

“For Vacheron Constantin, we endeavored to answer two questions. The first pertained to the brand's functional and identity requirements. The second had to do with  a polemic involving the history of architecture as a whole: the evolution of the building envelope concept at the start of the 21^st century, which has been gradually replacing the  notion of the traditional façade.” Bernard Tschumi

Sustainable environment

What the building's limited  lacks in footprint it gains in height and energy optimization.

Vacheron Constantin, factory in Plan-Les-Ouates 

Title: The new Vacheron Constantin headquarters: dynamic and timeless
Address: 10 Chemin du Tourbillon, CH-1228 Plan-Les-Ouates, Genève
Telephone: +41 22 930 2005
Website: www.vacheron-constantin.com
Function: Headquarters and production unit
CEO: Juan-Carlos Torres
Commission: Architectural Competition opened in 2001
Completion date: 9 August 2004
Architect: Bernard Tschumi Architects

The building in numbers

The overall weight of the concrete and steel structure is equivalent to that of 83 million 100-gram watches.

• Grounds area: 30,000 m²
• Built-up area: 7,000 m²
• Right-of-way: 40 m x 80 m
• Volume of excavated soil: 30,000 m³
• Number of trees planted: 1,500
• Amount of concrete used: 7,600 tonnes, or 3,000 m³
• Quantity of armatures: 670 tonnes of steel
• Glass surface: 3,000 m²
• Steel frame: 460 tonnes
• Electrical cables: 10,000 metres
• Phone wiring: 37,000 metres
• Occupied work stations: 170 employees (administration and production)
• Parking spaces

---

This page is an extract from our page Horology & Architecture