Morges

Renovation and modernisation of an iconic building

As part of its role as client representative, Wincasa supported the AXA Investment Foundation in the sustainable modernisation of a striking residential building in the heart of Morges. The project involved the refurbishment of 84 flats whilst they were still occupied, including the sustainable renewal of the building envelope and the technical infrastructure. The result is a future-proof residential property.

Background

Built in 1983, this nine-story residential building with a total of 84 apartments is a defining feature of Morges’ cityscape.

The property comprises:

84 apartments spread across nine upper floors and a ground floor
An underground parking garage with 113 indoor parking spaces and 11 outdoor parking spaces

After several decades of use, the building was in need of comprehensive renovation. The goal was to improve energy efficiency, modernize the technical infrastructure, and comply with current legal requirements. The Minergie standard was to be achieved while the apartments remained occupied throughout the construction period. At the same time, the building’s architectural character was to be preserved.

The newly ventilated fiber-cement facade covers the original prefabricated facade elements and offers a durable solution that is optimally adapted to the building’s complex geometry. The new railings were also designed to preserve the distinctive appearance of the terraces, including the existing planters.

Our Role

Wincasa served as the client’s representative throughout SIA Phases 3, 4, and 5.

Our core responsibilities included:

Defining and structuring the project scope, including services, costs, and deadlines
Overall management and leadership of the project across all project phases
Coordinating and ensuring a transparent flow of information among all project stakeholders
Monitoring project objectives with regard to quality, costs, and deadlines
Providing ongoing information and advice to the client on all strategic project decisions

Why Wincasa?

AXA Investment Foundation was able to rely on Wincasa’s extensive experience in client representation and the management of complex construction projects. Our in-depth knowledge of the client’s requirements, processes, and decision-making procedures, combined with Wincasa’s existing property management capabilities, led to significant synergies and clear added value. This enabled us to optimally represent the owners’ interests at all times and ensure efficient decision-making processes.

Our Services

The project specifically included:

The renovation of 84 apartments while residents remained in the building, carried out in phases by apartment block
Complete renovation of the facade, balconies, and terraces
Bringing the building into compliance with applicable standards and regulations
The modernization of the building’s technical infrastructure
Renovation of the underground parking garage
Renovation of the outdoor areas, including the planting of 157 shrubs, new bicycle parking spaces, and new paving work

In addition, Wincasa was responsible for:

The cost optimization of the construction project
Developing and recommending additional improvement measures by leveraging the cost savings achieved
Ensuring that the project was completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards
Coordinating and communicating with external stakeholders, such as the district heating provider and neighboring property owners

Success Factors

The combination of early problem identification, efficient coordination, and constructive collaboration between the general contractor, architects, marketing team, and building owner was a key success factor. As a result, the renovation was completed on schedule, to the required quality standards, and with a high level of acceptance from the tenants while the building remained occupied.

Conclusion

The successful renovation of this property demonstrates that architectural quality can be optimally combined with modern, sustainable solutions and complex construction processes while the building remains occupied. Through close and trusting collaboration among all project participants, a future-proof residential property was created that meets both today’s requirements for comfort and energy efficiency and the long-term expectations of the property owners. Wincasa is pleased to have supported the AXA Investment Foundation on this journey.