Flon Hotel
Located at the western edge of Lausanne?s central Le Flon district, this hotel building presents a monolithic mineral block that blends with the site?s industrial heritage. Utilising the template provided by the district?s street plan to optimum effect, the design echoes the dense urban grid patterns characteristic of Le Flon?s traditional warehouses and completes the square from which it is accessed. The four façades are uniform in appearance, their repeat motifs created by prefabricated concrete units. The design reflects the individual room modules, creating a continuous pattern of facets and folds across the building?s four sides. At ground level, geometric pillars tapering towards the base balance this massive carapace on more delicate points. Photography by © Matthieu Gafsou
The arcade complements the arcades of neighbouring buildings, extending the gallery toward the future development heading in the direction of Voie du Chariot to the south. The building entrance ? which also serves as a lobby and restaurant ? combines a pre-existing basement structure with the upper floors to create a generous, high-ceilinged, and fully glazed communal space that is open to the public. The central glazed atrium, a typical hotel feature, underscores the building?s core function. Visible service ducts on the ceiling and exposed concrete walls, inspired by the site?s industrial heritage, give these public spaces their distinctive atmosphere, developed in conjunction with...