Dwellings in Saint Sulpice / FHV Architectes

© Courtesy of FHV Architects

Completed in 2014 by Fruehauf, Henry & Viladoms (FHV Architects), the Saint Sulpice dwellings appear to float as they have been recessed from the overall volume. The lightness is emphasized by the use of black steel posts for the railing that leaves voids in-between.

Dwellings in Saint Sulpice Technical Information

  • Architects: FHV Architects
  • Location: Saint-Sulpice, Switzerland
  • Design Team: Claudius Fruehauf, Guillaume Henry, Carlos Viladoms, Francesca Fraschini, Alberto Sols
  • Type: Apartments
  • Project Year: 2014
  • Construction Management: Pragma SA
  • Budget: 7’400’000 CHF
  • Client: Edipresse Développement SA
  • Photographs: © Courtesy of FHV Architectes

The approach to the building and underground parking is gained via a dramatic overhang. The apartments sit above, appearing to float.

– FHV Architects

Dwellings in Saint Sulpice Photographs
Dwellings in Saint Sulpice / FHV Architectes

© Courtesy of FHV Architects

Dwellings in Saint Sulpice / FHV Architectes

© Courtesy of FHV Architects

Text by the Architects

Saint Sulpice nestles on a southeast-facing slope surrounded by a thicket of mature trees. Rimmed in dark metal, three floors of apartments, wrapped in balconies, look onto surrounding woodland, which reflects off the floor to ceiling windows. The approach to the building and underground parking is gained via a dramatic overhang. The apartments sit above, appearing to float.

The floor plan is organized concentrically on four floors around a central, light-filled stairwell. A layer of bathrooms, storage, and hallways on the top three floors forms a mediating layer between the outer rooms and the central circulation.

Each apartment opens onto a balcony with two sides. Despite the fully-glazed facade, the building achieves the required level of energy efficiency due to the compact organization of the plan.

Dwellings in Saint Sulpice / FHV Architectes

© Courtesy of FHV Architects

Dwellings in Saint Sulpice / FHV Architectes

© Courtesy of FHV Architects

Dwellings in Saint Sulpice / FHV Architectes

© Courtesy of FHV Architects

Dwellings in Saint Sulpice / FHV Architectes

© Courtesy of FHV Architects

Dwellings in Saint Sulpice / FHV Architectes

Plan Courtesy of FHV Architects

Dwellings in Saint Sulpice / FHV Architectes

Section Courtesy of FHV Architectes

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