Norway’s Permanent Mission in Geneva is set to become the second diplomatic mission to join Kyoto, bringing with it a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation and international collaboration. Counsellor Jonny Olsen explains how the new premises will support the Mission’s work and why his team is looking forward to settling into their future offices.

Located in the heart of Geneva’s Nations district, the Kyoto building represents a new generation of office properties, combining comfort, environmental performance, and quality of use. Thomas d’Halluin, Project Manager at Swiss Life Asset Managers, looks back on the vision that guided the development of this project, the challenges encountered, and the architectural and technical choices that made it possible to create a sustainable, flexible building firmly focused on the well-being of its occupants.

The first diplomatic mission to join Kyoto, Iceland’s Permanent Mission and Embassy in Geneva embodies the spirit of Green Village: sustainability, modernity, and international openness. Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson explains how the building meets the needs of his organization and why his staff are looking forward to moving into their new offices.

The Kyoto building, the first office workplace to be built in the Green Village district of Grand-Saconnex, represents a significant step forward in sustainable real estate in Switzerland. The result of a competition launched in 2013 by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Implenia, and now owned by a Swiss Life fund, Kyoto combines environmental performance and landscape integration to meet the rigorous requirements of modern sustainability standards. These qualities won it the "Prix de l'immobilier romand", awarded on 24 September in Morges by the magazine Bilan and the SVIT real estate association.

The Kyoto building features an original lobby concept designed by interior design studio Dimanche. The building's lobby is similar to that of some boutique hotels: a welcoming, unique and intimate atmosphere, comfortable spaces, great attention to detail, elegant furniture and curvaceous furnishings.

UBS will move into the Kyoto building this year. Christophe Garey, Head of Personal Banking in Geneva explains why the bank chose to open a branch in Green Village, in the heart of the Nations district.

The Kyoto building will be delivered in June 2024. Implenia, the general contractor in charge of the construction, also assists the tenants with their interior fittings. We interviewed Lionel Grevot, project manager for Implenia, about the advantages of this entirely personalized service for future residents.