BEGA luminaires underline the extraordinary architecture of the headquarters of Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest continuously operating watch manufacturer. Since 1755, the Geneva-based company has been an international byword for luxury watches. The new building in the Plan-les-Ouates district is a monument to the company, created with the help of French-Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi.
With a view to uniting administration and production under one roof, Vacheron Constantin launched an international architectural competition in 2001, which was won by renowned architect Tschumi, who has offices in Paris and New York. After 18 months of construction, the watch manufacturer moved into the dynamic yet timeless building. The characteristic feature is a thin, flexible sheath of perforated stainless steel that curves around the entire outer structure of the building. The abstract, slender and meticulously designed architecture of the building reflects the quality of the watches produced within it. In contrast, the surfaces inside the building are made of wood veneer. This creates a contrast between the smooth and precise appearance of the exterior and the warm and inviting atmosphere of the interior.
The access roads to the company headquarters are illuminated by glare-free BEGA LED recessed wall and ceiling luminaires with asymmetrical light distribution that provide guidance and safety. Robust LED bollards along the footpaths guide the way with their high luminous efficacy and uniform illuminance. The light from the luminaires is emitted forwards at an angle of 180°, while identical bollards with 360° light emission showcase the green areas around the main building. Efficient and economical BEGA luminaires therefore make a significant contribution to the unique aesthetics of the Vacheron Constantin headquarters.
Architects Bernard Tschumi Architects Photography Architekturfotografie Gempeler, Bern
