Our énoncé théorique ‘‘Review from the Road’’ focused on the impact of the automobile on architecture and its future in society. We concluded that its used will eventually be compromised by oil depletion.
The hydrocarbon tanks of Vernier, in the canton of Geneva, intrigued us by their number and scale. With their obsolescence becoming clearer by the years, the question of their potential for reuse arose, and forms the core of our project.
We propose to conserve the tanks, taking advantage of their structural quality and the large volumes they house to develop a variety of activities ranging from food production to sustainable, local energy production. One part is dedicated to vertical farms and another to biogas production. These processes are interdependent to create a circular system, minimizing energy impact.
In parallel with the transformation of the tanks, we are proposing to reallocate the other buildings linked to the automotive sector into workspaces, repair and craft workshops. The current site is fragmented and heavily divided by industrial zones that are not accessible to the public. The addition of a system of footbridges and new entertainment programs will make it easier for local residents to move around and reinvest in the site.