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The beauty of a facade with vertical stripes of travertine
A cladding of vertical travertine stripes covers the facades of these buildings in the Swiss village of Crans-près-Céligny.
A project by the studio Group8asia aimed to create structures that change appearance depending on different angles: the two buildings designed with travertine facades join three others that were completed as part of a town center urban plan.

The buildings contain a total of 14 rental properties ranging in size from studios to six-room apartments. The buildings were designed to respond to the densely developed context while referencing the village’s traditional houses and farm buildings.
By installing stone fins on the facades, the architects were able to limit the view into the buildings from the outside where there are public spaces, thus maintaining the privacy and intimacy of the residents despite the buildings’ proximity. The use of travertine stone helps promote the idea of respect and coexistence, and the depth of the stone stripes creates a dynamic optical effect. Viewed head-on, the surfaces appear open and transparent, but when seen from an angle, the facades appear more solid and monolithic. In some areas, the vertical fins partially cover the windows, while in others, their pattern is interrupted by balconies positioned to make the most of the countryside views.

The asphalt surfaces surrounding the buildings are also used as play areas for children and host wooden platforms that can be used as informal seating. Inside, the travertine-clad apartments feature wooden floors that contrast with the completely white walls, creating a neutral backdrop that tenants can personalize.

