Driven by a desire to modernize its processes, the Geneva-based company Caran d'Ache decided to leave the site that hosted its activities for over 50 years, to construct a new factory better suited to new industrial processes.

As part of this relocation, Pilet & Renaud had the honor of assisting Caran d’Ache in highlighting the historical site, which involved the following steps:

• Zone Modification: a rare occurrence in the canton of Geneva, the previously industrial and artisanal area (approx. 34,000 m2) was changed to a standard zone 3 (free zone);
• Obtaining a preliminary autorisation (demande préalable) for a project that included 450 apartments and more than 4,400 m2 of activities;
• Sale of the plot through a tender process.