Hill of Fey

The new Château-Sec neighbourhood unfolds in direct proximity to the Broye, a major territorial feature of the Moudon area. The hillside on which the new buildings are set borders the riparian woodland that crowns the ridge and overlooks the town.

From the west, the Bois Bataillard woodland extends down to the riverbanks and merges with the riparian corridor just a short distance from the site. This territorial intersection of forest and river forms a strong feature in the environment of the future neighbourhood, helping to anchor and enrich the site’s distinct identity.

Thus, the composition of the site’s outdoor spaces naturally connects with the nearby, substantial canopy and develops a generous tree layer that runs through and inhabits the neighbourhood on both sides. The new district therefore seeks to anchor itself coherently within the regional landscape framework by building upon this natural crossroads.

Realisation

2024

Client

Cantonal Insurance Establishment

Procedure

Single-stage competition, selective procedure 3^e prize

Collaborations

Bonnard+Woeffray Architectes

Services provided

SIA 142

Location

Moudon (VD)

Surface

12'000sqm

the project's assets

The new Château-Sec neighbourhood is set on the slopes of the Broye valley, in perfect harmony with the local natural environment. Its design intelligently integrates the landscape, drawing on the proximity of the river and the Bois Bataillard woodland. The buildings, arranged in three terraced layers along the hillside, respect the topography and maintain fluid connections with the existing neighbourhood.

Vegetation is a central element of the project, with an innovative ecological and aesthetic approach. A generous network of trees and shrubs creates privacy interfaces between dwellings, while flowering meadows and permeable surfaces promote biodiversity. Outdoor spaces favour natural materials and incorporate areas for the sustainable management of stormwater.

Public spaces are designed to offer a diversity of uses: a hillside square conducive to relaxation, a ridge path overlooking the landscape, and a shared playground. A sensory garden near the care home (EMS) offers stimulating pathways for the different senses, embodying the neighbourhood’s philosophy of creating living environments in full harmony with the surrounding nature.

Bonnard + Woeffray