The Edipresse tower was built in 1960-64 by architects Pierre Bussat and Jean-Marc Lamunière for the media group of the same name. A tribute to the internationally acclaimed architect Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe’s motto “less is more”, it is one of the most spectacular works of post-war Lausanne architecture.
The tower stands out from its surroundings as it lies parallel to the slope and not to the road that runs alongside it, Avenue de la Gare. It also stands out thanks to its broad base, which evens out the slope. The tower is an elegant rectangular prism comprising 11 floors. It is encased in a curtain façade created entirely and uniformly in glass. The metal structure went from black to white following repair work in 1998.
Despite its height, the tower maintains a feeling of closeness with onlookers. A play on proportions and transparency helps to create the impression of a human scale. At its base, the esplanade leading up to the building features footbridges, stairs, balustrades and a pond, as part of a meticulously created complex that is typical of its era.
