Dezeen Magazine

G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland

G8A fronts row houses with zigzagging concrete loggia in Switzerland

Architecture studio G8A has completed a series of terraced houses defined by red timber and concrete exteriors in Geneva, Switzerland, alongside local studio Collinfontaine Architectes.

Aiming to push the boundaries of typical row housing typologies, Family Fold by G8A and Collinfontaine Architectes comprises eight villas, organised in two rows on the site, fronted with a zigzagging loggia made from pre-cast concrete.

Facade of row houses in Geneva, Switzerland
The villas are outlined by a double-height folding frame

The double-height logia, which is broken by circular roof openings, shelters the home's entrances and facades that were clad in signature red timber.

The entrances lead to open-plan kitchens followed by a dining area and living space, with sliding doors at the rear opening up to a similarly designed patio and communal garden.

Loggia designed by G8A for residential project
The sheltered entrance was clad with red timber

Spread across two floors and a useable basement level, the villas have light-filled interiors with daylight drawn in from a light well that traverses the three floors.

"Allowing access to natural illumination on all levels no only improves general quality of life but also allows for spatial unison, the vertical enclosure permitting smooth communication between the programs," said the studio.

Centrally located stairs lead up to an en-suite principal bedroom along with two smaller bedrooms on the upper floor with adjacent balconies that follow the loggia's jagged shape are similarly defined by red timber and concrete.

A more refined colour palette used throughout the interior consists of bright, white walls completed with wooden or tiled flooring and expansive windows that overlook the surrounding greenery.

Interior view of villa by G8A
Sliding doors open out from the living space to a rear patio

Downstairs, a well-lit basement level offers a more flexible space, with the possibility of operating as a workshop, office space or separate living area, and can also be accessed via an external staircase.

Also accessible from the basement of each villa is a shared car park that sits below the development. A concrete tunnel illuminated by circular skylights provides car access to the underground space.

Car park entrance in Geneva, Switzerland
The carpark ramp was illuminated by circular skylights

Other residential projects in Switzerland include a blocky apartment complex by Ductus coated in a red plaster and a barn-like house formed by intersecting sculptural blocks.

The photography is by Thomas Causin.

More images and plans

Floor plan of villas in Geneva, Switzerland by G8A
Floor plan of villas in Geneva, Switzerland by G8A
Floor plan of villas in Geneva, Switzerland by G8A
Roof plan of villas in Geneva, Switzerland by G8A
Section drawing of villas in Geneva, Switzerland by G8A
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland
G8A designs eight villas in Geneva, Switzerland