41 Plantamour is an old six-storey traditional building containing 12 flats in the centre of Geneva. Cooperative Housing Association (CoDHA) bough the building and renovated it.

41 Plantamour is an old six-storey traditional building containing 12 flats in the centre of Geneva. In the 1980s it was in need of renewal but was kept empty by a succession of owners in order to speculate on the rising property values. At the end of the 1980s squatters moved into the building. When the building came up for sale the squatters asked a Cooperative Housing Association (CoDHA) to buy it and rent it to them. This it did and renewed it with the participation of the inhabitants. Renewal costs were 40 per cent lower than standard for three reasons:

  • a lower comfort level than the very high Swiss standard;
  •  the architect was committed to salvaging existing material and equipment and made sure that nothing was wasted;
  • the inhabitants participated in the renewal.

The building is let to the former squatters, and now coop members. This year (2004), CoDHA is about to acquire the building next door, also with the participation of the inhabitants.

Partnership

Private sector, academic/research, local community