We carry out facade work in Geneva, Lausanne and French-speaking Switzerland: external thermal insulation, render, refurbishment and decorative finishes. A facade is rarely redone for looks alone — it is the element that weighs most heavily on a building's heat losses.

What we do

  • External thermal insulation (ETICS) on houses and apartment buildings
  • Ventilated facades, where the substrate or the exposure calls for one
  • External render, new or as a repair
  • Refurbishment and restoration of existing facades
  • Decorative finishes and detailing

ETICS or ventilated facade: the building decides

Both systems insulate, but not under the same conditions. ETICS — insulation bonded on, then rendered — is more economical and suits most masonry substrates. A ventilated facade, with its air gap, handles moisture and severe exposure better, at a higher cost. The substrate, the orientation, the condition of the existing wall and the municipality's constraints decide; we do not recommend a system before seeing the facade.

Subsidies: apply before the work starts

Insulating the envelope is supported by the Programme Bâtiments in every French-speaking canton. The rule that costs owners the most is the same everywhere: the application must be submitted and accepted before work begins, and retroactive applications are refused. At quotation stage we set out which support applies to your project and in what order to take the steps.

How we work

Survey of the existing wall, choice of system, itemised quotation, then the site work with scaffolding, protection and waste handling included. We coordinate the permits where the facade is protected or visible from public space, which is common in central Geneva and Lausanne.

Frequently asked questions

How thick should the insulation be?

It depends on the substrate, the energy target and cantonal requirements. Sizing is done per project, and it also drives the subsidy amount.

Can a protected facade be insulated?

Often yes, but with a system and a finish approved by the relevant authority. We prepare the corresponding file.

How long does a facade project take?

It depends on the area and the weather: renders have application temperature ranges that cannot be ignored.

Is scaffolding included in the quotation?

Yes — scaffolding, protection and waste removal are priced in the quotation, not added during the works.