Greater sustainability through reuse

Category

News

Date

March 2024

Sablier Sàrl, Gérald Gerber Architecte and NFIC submitted an outstanding proposal for the competition to construct the new Jonction water sports park. A project that reveals new perspectives in the construction industry.

More than ever, sustainability is a crucial issue for the construction industry. One of the greatest challenges facing the sector is ensuring that building projects have the least possible impact on the environment, not only in terms of the construction sites themselves, but above all in terms of the materials used.

So when the City of Geneva launched a parallel study to design the new Jonction water sports park, the issue of sustainability was a key element right from the outset. The aim of the brief was to create a new public park on the site of disused public transport depots, and to build a new water sports park (canoeing, rafting, paddleboarding, etc.).

Although a more obvious solution on paper, dismantling everything and rebuilding from scratch would have run counter to the sustainability objectives of the City of Geneva and the project itself. So how can we put the desire for renewal into practice while thinking about the future?

A LEGO project

It is on this particular type of topic that NFIC likes to bring its expertise, its vision and its capacity for upstream thinking.

Instead of dismantling everything, the idea was to upgrade the existing site by extensively reusing materials from the former public transport depots. This was followed by a LEGO approach, consisting of listing all the parts of the existing buildings in order to decide which could be incorporated into the new project. The outcome was that the vast majority of the structures in the newly-created space could be taken from the existing infrastructure.

Other sustainable aspects were also taken into account. For example, the proposal included retaining all existing trees. In addition, the site did not require any excavation, thereby keeping rubble to a minimum.

A podium of distinction

The project submitted by Sablier Sàrl, Gérald Gerber Architecte and NFIC was awarded 3rd prize out of 73 entries. An excellent ranking which, above and beyond the aesthetics of the proposal, demonstrates clear, coherent and effective thinking.

NFIC has been carrying out in-depth research into reuse and recycled materials for many years, and we now have several references in this field. Thank you to our partners and to the City of Geneva for this wonderful opportunity to showcase our expertise.

News

March 2024

Sablier Sàrl, Gérald Gerber Architecte and NFIC submitted an outstanding proposal for the competition to construct the new Jonction water sports park. A project that reveals new perspectives in the construction industry.

November 2023

We welcomed six girls aged between 10 and 12 during the ‘’Journée Oser Tous les Métiers’’ (JOM) on Thursday, November 9th, 2023. This atelier allows girls to learn more about technical jobs through activities, presentations, and visits of construction sites. This workshop enables girls to learn more about technical professions through activities, presentations, and construction site visits.

dl-c architecture et construction
April 2023

Commissioned by the municipality of Echandens, NFIC has just won the study and implementation phase of the future school complex in Echandens (VD), a project developed by the Geneva-based architectural firm dl-c designlab-construction. This exciting scheme will allow us to showcase our analytical abilities and expertise in low-carbon buildings.

December 2022

Structural works on a Minergie-P/ECO certified eco district demand a proven track record in sustainable construction. This challenge was brilliantly taken up by our team of concrete and recycled materials experts whose specialist knowledge was a real asset to the project.

October 2022

In association with several renowned offices, NFIC was awarded the contract for the Aigle-Leysin railway line expansion project. This particular railway engineering project asserts our ambitions in this sector and demonstrates, once again, how important sustainable development is to us.

September 2022

Pushing the boundaries also means constantly exploring new avenues of approach and new ideas. With Hello, Concrete, NFIC is helping to create an exhibition pavilion made entirely of 3D printed concrete. An extraordinary project to be experienced in the prestigious setting of the Vitra Design Museum.

September 2022

On 3 September, the Beaulieu Theatre revealed its new face after a three-year renovation. This long-term project is part of a much larger conversion in which NFIC made a significant contribution. The kind of challenge we relish!

February 2022

When NFIC's know-how is combined with an ecological and participatory approach, you can be sure the result will be something special! Welcome to the 2000-Watt Site at Églantine in Morges, a visionary project in which we are particularly proud to have played a part.

December 2021

To mark its 25th anniversary in style, NFIC is celebrating with three very tall candles! The engineering company concludes the year by winning two daring projects including three emblematic towers.

November 2018

The entire NFIC team was in China for a team-building event like no other.

November 2019

Several of our employees participated in the 49th New York City Marathon in November 2019.

September 2021

After being unveiled in Basel, the giant pencil made by NFIC was installed as a venue for concerts and performances in the heart of Zurich.

Octobre 2021

Congratulations to Loïc Devenoge and Noah Luinetti, who successfully obtained their CFC qualification in civil draughting.

October 2021

Our firm is through to the second round of the competition organised by the City of Geneva.

2021

NFIC is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. A quarter of a century dedicated to pushing the boundaries with imagination.