3XN and IttenBrechbühl to design a wooden tower in Switzerland

3XN and IttenBrechbühl have won an international competition to design Tilia Tower, a 278-foot-tall wooden tower on the outskirts of Lausanne, Switzerland. 

The design includes the tower as well as the transformation and renovation of two existing buildings for the real estate company Insula SA. The project includes retail, apartments, a hotel, co-working, and various public functions such as bars, shops, restaurants, and cafes.

The apartments are structured as a series of individual elements that shift on top of each other in a rational arrangement while deep window niches and terraces reach out and create a connection between the building, its users, and the outdoor space. The depth of the niches and terraces optimizes energy efficiency through shading and daylight optimization and creates comfortable, undisturbed recreational outdoor areas.

Connected to the new high-rise will be an existing office building and a badminton hall. The existing buildings will undergo an energy-efficient renovation and facade updates to match the new tower. Additionally, a new square will be established in front of the building that will create a green urban space with biodiverse plants and microorganisms.

The project is targeting Minergie-P certification.