A shift in the competition landscape

JR: Construction in Switzerland is highly dynamic at present. I believe there are now more architects partly due to the growing number of regulations, which involve more professionals in the process. A key factor in this landscape is the strong culture of architectural competitions in Switzerland. These competitions provide emerging practices with access to public projects and opportunities to establish themselves. This was how we started—winning a competition for a school, which brought us our first public client. Competitions are becoming increasingly precise, reflecting a broader societal shift. We are also becoming more thoughtful in how we build and manage resources, and this is now part of the competitive process as well as a political issue.

RR: Another factor reinforcing this aspect is that today, when entering a major competition, you must assemble a full team from the start—architects, engineers, civil and structural engineers, environmental engineers, heating and sanitation experts, and perhaps a landscape architect. The need for a complete team at the competition stage is a recent development. Previously, this wasn’t required, making it far more demanding to participate in competitions now.

JR: We focus on competitions within the region where we are based, Valais. As a small office, we aim to avoid projects that are too large for us to manage. We are also very interested in human-scale projects, with a more domestic feel. We’ve always enjoyed working on atypical programmes—schools, of course, but also unique projects such as cable car installations or vehicle control facilities. Our work is very diverse; we like to explore different typologies. However, we always prioritise the purpose of the programme, as this is most important. Timing also plays a role, as we often have other projects running simultaneously.

RR: The composition of the jury is another aspect we consider when selecting a competition. If there is an architect on the jury whose approach differs significantly from ours, we may decide not to apply. Additionally, if we have a personal relationship with someone on the jury, we are not allowed to participate. There are strict rules governing this, clearly outlined in the SIA (Society of Engineers and Architects) regulations.

JR: The jury often includes other experts, such as professionals or users of the building, and sometimes political representatives. Architects on the jury are responsible for explaining and clarifying each project’s meaning, which helps guide the jury’s decision.

Competitions are, in a way, a stroke of luck. A competition helped us as an emerging firm, and I wouldn’t change much about the process. However, some cantons in Switzerland are now discussing whether to continue holding open competitions or to select a few architects for smaller competitions involving five or six offices, with the project’s execution assigned to a general contractor. These discussions are less appealing to us because our goal is to participate in the competition, win, and manage both the project and its execution.

The ties that bind Swiss architects 

RR: The environment is a crucial topic at the moment. We need to design buildings that are efficient in terms of heating, insulation, and other environmental factors. I believe what unites Swiss architects today is more about technique than typology—specifically, how we choose materials, how we source them, and how we craft details, components, and building elements. In the Valais region, many housing developments are driven by promoters, meaning housing isn’t often a focus for architectural offices. As a result, there are fewer opportunities to work on housing typologies. While environmental considerations are becoming more significant, especially in competitions, these often boil down to simply choosing wood over concrete. We still have much work to do in advancing these ideas, conducting research, and innovating. There’s also a clear distinction between private and public projects. Public projects require participation in competitions, which fosters research as many offices work on the same brief. In the private sector, however, the high cost of construction makes it difficult for people to afford housing. As a result, private projects tend to focus on reducing costs or reverting to simpler, more efficient designs.

The Evolution of r2a architectes

JR: As Renaud mentioned earlier, we have worked on a diverse range of programme typologies. This has required us to adapt, learn, and innovate—whether we are creating a new school, transforming an existing one, or building a facility for vehicle control. 

Over the past ten years, we have explored various types of projects. However, we often find that when examining the work of older architects, the most compelling projects tend to emerge in the early years of their firms. These projects are often more radical and experimental, while after ten to fifteen years, the work can become more polished and standardised

Reflecting on our beginnings, the four of us—Rudaz, along with Renaud's uncle and father—won a competition together. This gave us the freedom to approach the project on our own terms. We weren’t subordinates to someone else’s ideas; instead, we were fortunate to have the creative liberty to explore our vision while also benefiting from the experience of the older generation. When we opened our firm, we weren’t always certain we were on the right path, but that uncertainty was part of the journey. This is why we began with projects that were relatively simple, characterised by clear structures and concepts.

RR: The details, the drawings—everything was simple, minimalist, and radical. The key takeaway from this experience is that we were able to deliver the building on time and within budget. For our first project, it was a valuable learning experience. We also realised that any unresolved issues during the project phase must be addressed before handing the building over to the client. As a result, we quickly learned to take full responsibility for ourselves and our work.

JR: Most of the feedback has been positive. There are some minor issues, such as the ongoing need for building maintenance—practical considerations. From my perspective, some people will inevitably have some criticism. That’s just how it is, and we have to accept it.

RR: To conclude my response regarding the growth of our office, I believe we can assert that the five or six competitions we won were key milestones in our development. They came at regular intervals, with each one marking a significant step forward for us. Winning the project for vehicle control was particularly noteworthy, as it was a large-scale undertaking. We dedicated about four years to this project, which represents a substantial commitment.

JR: The project was also technically challenging. Some requirements were particularly precise, making it an intriguing challenge. This project allowed us to continue learning through practice, designing specific elements, and addressing various technical aspects. The building incorporated a lot of techniques, whereas our previous projects had been less complex. It’s important to recognise that while a young office can win competitions, successfully delivering those projects on time and within budget is crucial. Fortunately, we were able to manage everything ourselves, including on-site direction, which is very important to us.

Embracing local diversity

RR: Two aspects characterise us as a firm: the diversity of our projects, which range from large houses to small refurbishments and chalets, and our independence, as we handle everything in-house without collaborating with other offices.

JR: Working in Sion means engaging with a small city on a local scale. Firms know each other well, fostering an interesting dynamic where we sometimes compete and other times share a glass of wine. However, we lack the opportunity to undertake urban projects; such programming is more prevalent in Lausanne, for example. We aim to build more simply than we have. We want to question certain aspects of our work and, in the future, explore the possibility of creating more sustainable projects—not just as a form of greenwashing, but by finding genuine solutions and experimenting with new materials. While we have extensively used industrial materials like bare aluminium and concrete, we now seek to push this approach further.

RR: Architects, nowadays, play an important role in finding solutions for the energy transition. Transforming more and building less is an essential issue today