Mixed-Use Building in Forel (Lavaux): A Contemporary Blend of Industry and Living by Samir Alaoui Architectes

A Modern Architectural Vision in the Heart of Lavaux

Nestled in the serene landscape of Forel (Lavaux), Switzerland, the Mixed-Use Building by Samir Alaoui Architectes redefines the relationship between industrial functionality and residential comfort. This forward-thinking project harmoniously integrates industrial premises on the lower levels with luxurious penthouse apartments above, creating a spatial dialogue between production, architecture, and living.

Designed in 2025, the building embodies a sustainable, modular approach to mixed-use architecture — a reflection of evolving urban needs where work and life coexist within one dynamic framework.

Innovative Program: Industry Below, Life Above

The first two floors of the building are dedicated to industrial use, offering adaptable open spaces that can be reconfigured to accommodate a wide range of occupants. The architects prioritized spatial flexibility, ensuring that the structure could evolve alongside the businesses it houses.

The upper two levels are home to two contemporary penthouse apartments, each enjoying panoramic views over the surrounding Lavaux landscape. By stacking industrial and residential functions vertically, Samir Alaoui Architectes created a balanced, efficient typology that maximizes both land use and architectural identity.

Architectural Strategy: Function Meets Form

A key feature of the design is the separation of access and circulation between the industrial and residential zones. To maintain continuity and openness within the industrial floors, the architects intentionally avoided an internal stairwell connecting to the apartments.

Instead, a shared exterior elevator provides vertical access to the penthouses, complemented by private staircases discreetly located at both ends of the building. This design decision enhances privacy while preserving the clean, open volumes of the lower industrial levels.

Interior Design: Material Contrast and Light

The interiors of the apartments are organized around a central core, containing the kitchen and bathroom units — a clever configuration that maximizes natural light and free circulation around the living spaces.

Circulation flows in two directions:

• North side: through a continuous hallway connecting the rooms.
• South side: through open-plan living areas, where the kitchen serves as a central pivot between the dining and living rooms.

The material palette — concrete, wood, and glass — enhances the dialogue between robustness and warmth. Exposed concrete surfaces reflect the building’s industrial base, while timber finishes and generous glazing create an atmosphere of calm sophistication in the residential zones.

Sustainability and Contextual Integration

The building’s design responds to both context and climate, employing durable materials and efficient building systems sourced from local manufacturers such as VMZINC and WALO Bertschinger. The project’s minimalist form and neutral tones allow it to blend seamlessly with the surrounding Swiss landscape, reflecting a subtle respect for the natural and built environment.

 A Prototype for Future Mixed-Use Architecture

Samir Alaoui Architectes’ Mixed-Use Building in Forel (Lavaux) demonstrates how industrial architecture can evolve into a hybrid urban typology, balancing economic productivity with contemporary living. The project stands as a model for future developments that seek to merge work, life, and design within a single, adaptable framework.

All photographs are works of Rasmus Norlander