Quartier des Cèdres

In a rapidly developing western Lausanne, the Cèdres District aims to create a new urban center, providing 112,000 m² of thoughtfully designed living and working spaces. Built to last, it relies on a responsible approach both environmentally and socially, promoting sustainable mobility, diversity, and a mix of uses. Initiated in the 1990s, this project highlights the importance of designing buildings with a long-term vision, anticipating the needs of multiple generations. The completion of the first 11 buildings has brought life to this new neighborhood.

Located at the western edge of the municipality of Chavannes-près-Renens, the site benefits from excellent accessibility. Situated halfway between Renens train station and the university and polytechnic campuses, it offers numerous opportunities for sustainable mobility, public transport, and motorized traffic alike.

From the earliest stages of the project in the 1990s, RDR invested in the territorial development of the municipality, working closely with local authorities and urban planners to lay the foundations of this emerging district. Following the implementation of the District Plan in 2014, the office developed the building site, organized around four development areas. These are structured by a network of shared spaces and significant landscaping features at the scale of the district, the municipality, and western Lausanne. The urban form consists of linear buildings aligned with major mobility axes and more compact buildings distributed throughout the park. In the background, a tower emerges as a territorial landmark within the Lake Geneva metropolitan area.

From 2014 to 2026, the construction of 11 six-story buildings totaling 54,800 m² of floor area, along with a shared underground parking lot, brought the Cèdres District to life. In this high-density urban space, the creation of housing for 1,600 residents and 1,000 workplaces is complemented by extensive green areas that enhance the quality of life for users.

The buildings are organized in section with a glazed ground floor dedicated to commercial activities. Located on the upper floors, the apartments are designed to accommodate couples, families, and students from the nearby university campus. Housing for seniors adds an intergenerational dimension to the neighborhood.

To ensure visual coherence, a deliberately limited palette of forms, construction methods, materials, and finishes contributes to lasting sobriety. A subtle materiality adds dynamism. Continuous bands in prefabricated concrete extend into balcony parapets and are complemented by a metal structure that frames windows and sliding shutters. The poetry of randomness enlivens a rigorous composition.

In this pedestrian-friendly district, outdoor spaces promote not only residents’ well-being, social interactions, and activities but also local fauna and flora. At the base of the buildings, playgrounds, in-ground vegetable gardens, and orchards are available for users. Additionally, a fenced biodiversity area accommodates a retention basin, wildlife shelters in the form of stumps and rock piles, and a pond.

Located along the metro line, the Cèdres District, equipped with over 450 indoor and outdoor bicycle spaces, promotes sustainable mobility. Offering a pleasant living environment, it responds to the needs of contemporary society in a rapidly densifying region.