A bespoke setting for the Terrasse de la Paix
It was exactly a year ago that I met Margerie Roche during my exhibition ‘Variations sur motif’ at the WRP Foundation.
A few months later, at the top of Pétale 5 in the Maison de la Paix, I pushed open the door on the 7th floor and marvelled at this incredible venue: a space full of curves, 180° panoramic windows and a majestic terrace offering breathtaking views of the Alps, the Jura and the rooftops of Geneva. The teams at NOVAE are in charge of the kitchen, concocting delicious and refined cuisine based on a carefully curated selection of produce and suppliers.
A restaurant that deserves to be better known, both for its cuisine and its exceptional location: it was with this in mind that our collaboration began, with the aim of giving the venue a visual signature and expressing its identity in an artistic way.
Such a unique venue is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Opened in 2013 and designed by architect Eric Ott, the Maison de la Paix is the headquarters of the IHEID. The complex is an architectural gem, unfolding in six azure-glass ‘petals’ in a dance of shapes and transparency, without a single straight line. It is a space for encounters and research, home to a vibrant multicultural community – that emblematic ‘International Geneva’.
The view is breathtaking: urban towards the railway lines, tree-lined over Rigot Park; the unusual vantage point from the endless terrace, dotted with copses, gives the impression of floating above the city. A serenity sheltered from the surrounding hubbub, enhanced by the view of the lake and the mountains.
Gradually, I began to feel as though I were in an almost mystical place. I therefore chose to express this universal spirit through the metaphor of stained-glass, in order to give the place a contemplative dimension, much like a sanctuary dedicated to peace. Starting from the existing drawing of the dove – the restaurant’s logo – I extended the lines and stretched the outlines into continuous curves, which intersect like so many links. From this interweaving emerged petal-like shapes, echoing the building, and circles evoking wedding rings. The colour palette draws inspiration from the existing colours – blues, greys and wood tones – enriched with orange hues to bring warmth and infuse the atmosphere with a more vibrant energy.
The motif was applied to the walls using matt wallpaper, thanks to the expertise of the Geneva-based company Remarq, which guided us in the choice of materials, in accordance with technical standards and the desired effect. With a view to achieving overall harmony, I was also able to guide NOVAE in redefining certain decorative elements to ensure a fluid and coherent design. The motif has been applied to marketing materials to enhance the establishment’s visibility.
The aim of the project was to give the venue a signature style that reflects its uniqueness, befitting its exceptional character and serving its primary purpose: to offer refined cuisine and provide guests with a delicious interlude in a moment suspended outside of time.
For that is the reward of the journey to the summit of the petal: to experience and make this exceptional place known.
Book your table or event: La Terrasse de la Paix, Rue Eugène-Rigot 2E (Pétale 5), 1202 Geneva. https://maisondelapaix-restaurant.ch