A Modern, Sustainable Facility for the GSEM at Quai Vernets from 2029

Modern, sustainable, and open to the city, the future university building at Quai Vernets marks a new milestone for the University of Geneva. Its foundation stone, symbolized by a time capsule, was laid on 16 October 2025.

Designed to accompany the growth in student numbers, the building will host from 2029 the Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM) as well as the Faculty of Social Sciences (SdS). It will bring together around 3,000 students and 500 staff members in a modern, welcoming, and sustainable learning environment.

The building, made available by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, will comprise 14 floors and 4 basement levels, offering a total floor area of 23,000 m². It will include lecture halls, classrooms, reading and study spaces, rooms for student associations, a cafeteria, and several multipurpose areas designed to foster academic and community life.

Developed and built by the construction company Losinger Marazzi, the facility will meet the highest environmental standards. It will feature rooftop solar panels, a green roof, and low-carbon or bio-based materials, reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 25%. Its design also prioritizes natural ventilation and energy efficiency.

Located in the heart of the future Vernets district, on a former military site under redevelopment, the building forms part of the large-scale Praille-Acacias-Vernets (PAV) urban project. This initiative reflects the University’s commitment to openness toward the city and strengthens the connection between the GSEM, the Geneva community, and the local economic ecosystem.

> View the press release (in French) by the University of Geneva.