The second scheme for HSBC Private Bank in Geneva involved the merging of seven structurally independent historic buildings to create a world-class client-facing office in one of the city’s most prestigious lakefront locations. The sensitive restructuring of the buildings has allowed five of HSBC’s offices to be consolidated on one site and provides a spacious contemporary workplace for approximately 650 staff, as well as a trading floor and high-end client facilities – all offering spectacular views of lake Geneva and the city’s old town.
By subtly unifying the buildings’ external appearance, the seven structures now appear as one entity while the integrity of the original facades has been preserved. A new continuous mansard-style roof has been constructed that aligns the geometry of the buildings so that they read as one form. This is complemented by a series of new fully-glazed dormer windows that add a striking but discreet contemporary element to the roofline. The sixth and seventh floors have been entirely rebuilt and transformed into an exclusive client and executive space.