12 Principles for the Espace Sébeillon

The fundamentals detailed below constitute key points and form the recommendations of the expert panel to SBB and the City for the development of the future neighborhood following the Parallel Studies Mandate (MEP):

For more details, see the full Jury Report.

1. The Organic Link

Ensure the continuity of ecological corridors by connecting the neighborhood to Valency Park and the Vallée de la Jeunesse, in order to strengthen Lausanne’s green network.

• Develop a high-quality public green space, between 20 and 30 meters wide, with a dense canopy of trees, to strengthen the ecological role of the corridor and ensure its biological functions.

• Connect the ecological corridor with the green promenade, the tree-lined street (Rue de Genève), and the Jardin de la Halle, so that it serves as a structural link among all these networks and contributes to a fine-grained and coherent green network.
  
  

2. The Public Green Promenade

• Expand the active transportation network at the neighborhood level:

  • Create a pedestrian and bicycle route separate from motorized traffic on Rue de Genève, ensuring safety and comfort.

  • Adjust the width of the green promenade at the southwest corner of the market hall.

• Develop a public green promenade by creating an east–west green corridor that forms part of the ecological network.

  • Design a continuous landscape structure connected to the ecological corridor, incorporating stormwater management and promoting both biodiversity and climate comfort.

  • Ensure an urban transition between the railroad tracks and the neighborhood through a hierarchy of spaces and appropriate landscaping that guarantees safety and the quality of public spaces.
    
    

3. The Sébeillon Market Hall

• Preserve the architectural and volumetric integrity of the market hall as a “standalone” structure to ensure the clarity of its heritage.

  • Preserve the original volume and reveal the hall’s rich heritage (openness, loading dock, uses, etc.).

  • Preserve the “cathedral-like space” character, without heavy partitioning, while allowing for the creation of self-contained spaces to organize various uses.

• Integrate the market hall into local and regional dynamics, on the scale of Lausanne and its surroundings, by maintaining and strengthening productive activities.

• Design flexible and adaptable spaces that encourage shared use and collective ownership.

  • To implement a unique program—combining productive, cultural, recreational, and social activities—that meets the needs of the neighborhood and the city, while affirming the venue’s distinct identity.

  • Bringing the space to life in the evenings through cultural, recreational, and dining activities.
    
    

4. The Halle Public Garden

• Design the public garden as an extension of the west facade of the market hall, creating a new gathering place.

  • Create an open and welcoming garden that serves the neighborhood and has a positive impact on the city of Lausanne as a whole.

  • Extend the heritage space by preserving the open area in front of the Halle.

• Organize the public garden as an interface between the Halle de Sébeillon, the neighborhood, and the green promenade.

  • Enhance views, access points, and shared uses to strengthen the site’s spatial and functional continuity.

  • Preserve historical elements related to the railroad (evidence of the railroad tracks).
    
    

5. The Solarium Area

• Take advantage of the south-facing orientation of the market hall’s large facade to create a sunbathing area directly connected to the green promenade.

  • A sunny relaxation area, open to the landscape, fully integrated into the life of the market hall and the neighborhood.

  • Strengthen the historic permeability of the area without turning the Halle into a mere thoroughfare.
    
    

6. The Urban Link Between East and West Sébeillon

• Ensure urban permeability between the market hall and the Sébeillon-Est residential neighborhood.

  • Redesign and repurpose traffic areas into high-quality public spaces and create pathways through Sébeillon-Est toward the Sévelin neighborhood.

  • Maintain a visual connection to the market hall

    from the Sébeillon-Est neighborhood.

• Identify a program—a vehicle for identity—to transform and enhance the area.

  • Explore the introduction of a new structure with a form and positioning adapted to the context.
    
    

7. The North Quay of the Market Hall and Accessibility

• Preserve and redevelop the north pier of the market hall.

  • Maintain the delivery functions of the north quay to ensure the functional continuity of the market hall (mixed use by trucks and pedestrians according to schedules).

  • Redevelop this space to accommodate high-quality urban uses while ensuring the necessary accessibility.

  • Organize delivery and private motorized vehicle traffic flows to ensure the safety of active transportation.

• Ensure delivery access to the neighborhood.

  • Ensure two main access points via Route de Genève (Néon ABC and the market hall).

  • Open a new passageway via Sébeillon-Est to simplify routes and avoid traffic loops that have too great an impact on the quality of life in public spaces.

• Ensure access via the shared-use corridor.

  • Provide access to the various facilities (CFF Infrastructure, Néon ABC Halle) via a service road running alongside the railroad tracks.
    
    

8. The forecourt of the market hall

• Highlight the market hall as a landmark building for the neighborhood.

  • Design a public space that connects the market hall, Rue de Genève, and the Sébeillon neighborhood.

  • Develop a permeable north–south and east–west plaza around the market hall, promoting non-motorized traffic, community uses, and the integration of the market hall into the urban fabric.

• Work with the site’s topography and its varying levels to create a subtle and high-quality articulation of the public space around the market hall, promoting continuity in uses and perceptions.
  
  

9. The Sébeillon Market Hall Stop

• Recognize the “Halle de Sébeillon” tram stop as the anchor point for a complementary urban hub.

  • Enhance the public space and develop an attractive program (retail, services, activities) to strengthen its role as an urban hub.

• Develop the relationship between Rue de Genève, the tram stop, and the ground floors of the buildings.

  • Pay careful attention to the building plinths (arcades, recesses, openings, and access points) to create a coherent connection between public space, mobility, and urban vitality.
    
    

10. A built frontage to define the space on Rue de Genève

• Position buildings in such a way as to precisely define public space and create focal points along the main traffic flow areas.

  • Vary setbacks and projections to adapt to different uses while tightening the public space to enhance urban character, particularly near tram stops.

• Introduce controlled breaks in the building frontage to create clear openings toward the neighborhood and scenic views opening onto the green promenade, the neighborhood’s green spaces, and the wider landscape.

  • Two main breaks at the ecological corridor and at the tram station.

  • Two open spaces along the west facade of the market hall and at the Martinet Passage.

• Highlight the visual perspectives toward the neighborhood from Avenue de la Confrérie and Avenue de Morges.
  
  

11. The Martinet Underpass: An Urban Hub

• Opening up the Site

  • Redevelop the Martinet underpass.

  • Create a small, safe, and attractive urban plaza that facilitates connections and accessibility.

• Enhance active mobility

  • Work on the topography and elevation to ensure smooth transitions and directly connect the interior of the Sébeillon neighborhood to the south of “Voie Galicien” by lowering the level of the northern exit of the Martinet tunnel.

  • Develop clear and pleasant routes, connected to existing public spaces, to improve the site’s legibility and encourage north-south travel by non-motorized means.
    
    

12. A silhouette that creates a transition between the Sébeillon and Malley neighborhoods

The Sébeillon site, central and strategically located, is situated in a bend of the railway plateau that extends from downtown Lausanne toward the western part of the city, in a highly favorable location with a south-facing orientation and views of the expansive Lake Geneva landscape. It is situated at a transportation hub and thus benefits from favorable conditions for urban densification and the creation of several urban landmarks, thereby helping to strengthen adjacent neighborhoods—particularly through new neighborhood amenities and infrastructure, as well as the revitalization of street spaces.

• Structure the built environment in harmony with the existing built environment and the challenges of densification, while seeking political acceptance.

  • Use the city’s reference level (R+7) as a guide on the eastern side of the site near the market hall.

  • Then gradually increase building heights toward the west.

  • Integrate several urban landmarks (tall buildings) on the western side of the site, near the planned expansion of the tram station and in the direction of the tall buildings at La Manufacture and Malley.

• Balance urban density with architectural quality by creating clear building volumes, well-designed facades, and a harmonious urban composition.

  • Make efficient use of the land to create public spaces and open green areas.