Architecture

The Cité du Temps was entirely designed by the world-renowned Japanese architect and Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban.

The building is nestled between Omega’s historic buildings and the new Swatch Headquarters. The construction, which is slightly elevated on pillars in a seemingly effortless way, is characterized by its contemporary glass façade that reflects lightness and transparency.

While straight lines and right angles characterize the floors above the elegantly curved arcades on the ground floor, the Nicolas G. Hayek Conference Hall on the fourth floor, with its elliptical shape and elaborate mosaic façade, literally stands out.

The use of the Conference Hall is reserved for internal purposes of the Swatch Group only.

«The Cité du Temps encourages a natural connection between the Omega and Swatch campus.»

Shigeru Ban

«A continuous arched pilotis space at the ground floor forms a physical connection between the two campuses. From this area you can access the museum spaces, which were built with the most advanced timber technology in the world.»

Shigeru Ban
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SUSTAINABILITY

Special attention was paid to sustainability in the planning and construction of the new Cité du Temps building by using natural and sustainable resources that contribute significantly to an optimal energy balance.

TIMBER 100% FROM SWISS FORESTS

Only wood from Swiss forests was used in the construction of the Cité du Temps, most of it spruce. The main part of the used timber comes from Swatch Group’s own managed forests. A total of 1,618 cubic meters of timber was needed - a quantity that grows back in Switzerland in less than 2 hours.

ENERGY CONCEPT

The energy concept, which is based on solar technology and groundwater use, enables building functions such as ventilation, cooling, heating, and basic lighting to be operated autonomously – i.e. without external energy source – for the Cité du Temps as well as for the neighboring Swatch building.

GROUNDWATER USE

The groundwater use concept that ensures the heating and cooling of the Cité du Temps building is based on a sophisticated system of exchange and storage, which optimally uses the local geothermal conditions. A total of nine underground wells are distributed throughout the site. The facility also includes two former oil tanks, which have been converted into large water reservoirs.

SOLAR ENERGY

The photovoltaic installation of a total area of 240 m2 facilitates its own building functions such as ventilation, cooling, heating or basic lighting. It generates around 40.5 MWh of electricity per year, which corresponds to the average consumption of 12 households.

Facts on the Building

100%

Swiss timber

1’618 m3

volume of Swiss timber

80 m

building length

17 m

building width

28 m

building height

7'061 m2

total gross floor surface

2'100 m2

glass façade surface

< 2 h

time needed, that the volume of wood used replenishes in Swiss forests

240 m2

photovoltaic surface

40.5 MWh

generated electricity by the photovoltaic installation per year

6.75 cm

thickness of the glass elements built in the arcades

14

arches on the ground floor

15 m

span of arch

700 m2

total surface area of mosaic

1.5 million

mosaic tiles

2 cm x 2 cm

dimensions of one mosaic tile

30

groups of timber columns

15 m

span between timber column groups

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Omega Museum

Relocated to a stunning new building in 2019, OMEGA Museum tells the compelling story of the Swiss brand through immersive movies, compelling showcases and fun interactive experiences. Those wishing to delve into the details of OMEGA’s past, present and future, will not be disappointed.

Learn more

Planet Swatch

Join us on the second floor of Cité du Temps for a journey through Swatch time… Let yourself be transported into the past, present and future of our brand through designs, experiences and artworks, and unleash your imagination: you’ll understand that Planet Swatch is so much more than a museum!

Learn more