Southern Edge of the Village of Hermance

The village center of Hermance is classified as a nationally significant ISOS site, thanks to the well-preserved quality of its historical fabric. However, the attractive landscape setting and historic backdrop are currently compromised by the dominant presence of traffic. Public space is largely occupied by parking; the village entrance is configured as a purely technical mobility facility, and the oversized main road through the village acts as a barrier between the eastern and western parts of Hermance.

In addition, the meadow sloping down to the lake—one of the few remaining undeveloped plots on the right bank of Lake Geneva—forms the southern edge of the village and is under increasing development pressure.

In response to these issues, the project adopts a comprehensive approach to densification and open space design. The village thoroughfare, entrance area, and lakeside meadow are addressed as interrelated components of a coherent spatial strategy, where built form, landscape, and mobility infrastructure are integrated into a unified composition.

For example, the bus turnaround loop is reimagined as an entrance square and scenic overlook. A compact new neighborhood is planned to define the southern edge of the village, enclosing and protecting the meadow as a permanent open space. This approach preserves unobstructed views of the lake and the distinctive silhouette of the historic village core, including its church and medieval tower.