Administrative building

Faced with the imminent renovation of its historic 17th century “Chateau” and the need to centralise several scattered administrative departments, the municipality of Prilly launched an architectural competition in late 2007. The jury was seduced by the urban quality of the winning proposal, in particular the creation of a new village square resulting from the astutely placed administrative wing.
Today the “Chateau” is reinstated to its former glory, stripped of the various eclectic transformations inflicted on it over the centuries. Its tower is given over to socio-cultural use, to be appreciated by the wider community, while the new generous volumes of the reconfigured “Bernois” wing now house the cafeteria and conference/meeting rooms. Modern office facilities detached from the historic building accommodate the 50 plus staff. A transparent bridge links their upper floors and gives the onlooker a glimpse of the activity within. At ground level, a tight lane leads the pedestrian between the two buildings through to the village square beyond.
The new construction is voluntarily modern and understated, it sits unassuming alongside its historic counterpart, both co-exist, left free to express the architecture of their time.
A new predominately open building contrasts the introverted “Chateau”. The perception of security offered by the traditional stone construction is set aside in the new extension to make way for a transparent building envelope - a subtle allusion to the ideals of the modern municipality. A deep matrix of tinted precast concrete filters and frames views into and out. The exaggerated depth of the facade reinterprets the massive walls of its 17th century neighbour. The seemingly abstract composition serves to disguise strict vertical structural lines and accommodate the precise arrangement of fixed and opening triple glazed windows. Interspersed perforated anodised bronze steel sheet panels enrich the composition and conceal 25cm thick insulation. Prilly’s historic coat of arms embellishes certain panels, evoking themes of heraldry associated with castle architecture and confirming the building’s clear local identity. Fully automated external horizontal blinds are set back within the precast concrete giving the users optimum control over their environment. The resulting high performance facade not only responds to the strict requirements of the Suisse Minergie label but gives the new building a dignified appearance fitting of its function as the town’s municipal and administrative hub.