Geneva: the harbor holds its new lighthouse called Ylliam

In this freezing cold recalling more March than May, the waves splash the brand new pier from the port of the Nautical Society of Geneva (SNG), a stone’s throw from Geneva-Plage. At the end sits a glass and metal tower, of the same gray that the sky on Tuesday. A few weeks ago, this building did not exist. This lighthouse, you have guessed it, is the final touch of the transformation of the Rade de Genève.

At the foot of the building, the former president of Nautique Pierre Girod displays a delighted smile. “This lighthouse makes it possible to better define the Geneva harbor, it brings contrast to a little flat dikes,” he rejoices. The building is the same height as its Pâquis counterpart, so as not to “crush” the latter. “We also wanted it to be visible by day, with a modern structure,” adds the former president. He concludes by exclaiming: “A lighthouse in Switzerland has never been built since that of Pâquis!”

Nautical entrusted this delicate mission to the office of architects Bureau, winner of the competition launched six years ago. Its building consists of a first mineral level, then a completely glass cabin, intended to monitor the various regattas organized by the SNG. Finally, pylons and steel ropes form a tower all in finesse on which sits a lantern.

“Discreet and innovative” for the Rade de Genève

“We did not want to do something monumental, but rather a discreet and innovative building,” explains Daniel Zamarbide, co -founder of the office. The result is clear: this is the lightest possible structure for a lighthouse of this size, with the minimum possible equipment. ” The building, with its many steel cables stretched along a central pylon, recalls a boat rig.

For this, the cabinet was inspired by the work of Vladimir Choukhov, a Russian engineer who developed the first hyperboloid buildings. “There were also many needs to meet,” adds Daniel Zamarbide. For example, it was necessary to create a place to store equipment, as well as a rest space for the regattas taking place at night. ”

Another challenge: do not encroach too much on the lake, because the latter is classified as an unconscious zone and requires derogations. “We have taken care to consult the state institutions and various actors, in order to reduce the risk of opposition. The canton turned out to be very supporting when it was submitted to him the project, ”says Pierre Girod. Various civil servants, like the cantonal architect, were also part of the jury during the competition.

A lighthouse funded by Firmenich

The work was entirely funded by Pierre-Yves Firmenich, patriarch of the large eponymous family. A great sailing enthusiast, patronage for this lighthouse seemed to him to be obvious. As the project is completely private, Pierre-Yves Firmenich could even choose the name of the work. The lighthouse is called Ylliam, like the entire family leisure fleet. On the other hand, the paid amount remains secret. “We can simply tell you that nautical would not have had the means to finance the lighthouse by itself,” smiles Pierre Girod.

Quite spoken, make room for the visit. With gusts worthy of Brittany, we reach the belfry. After a brief passage through the storage area and the dormitory, a staircase takes us to the control zone, the “starting cabin” in sailor language. The 360 ​​-degree view of the breathless harbor and we almost regret that you cannot go up to the top. No doubt, Geneva has a new architectural gem, and the inhabitants will be able to visit it during the next days of the heritage.

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