Grand Morillon Student House Facilities: A Critical Overview

The Grand Morillon student residence, a project spearheaded by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, opened its doors on January 4, 2021, after significant delays. Financed to the tune of over 120 million CHF, this ambitious project by the Graduate Institute aimed to provide "a room for every student." Located in Petit-Saconnex, near the Nations neighborhood, Grand Morillon offers 678 beds, adding to the 231 already available at the Edgar and Danielle de Picciotto student residence. While the opening was delayed from its originally planned Autumn date due to COVID-19, the Institute launched a substantial promotional campaign following the eventual opening.

Geneva's Housing Crisis and the Promise of Grand Morillon

Geneva has long struggled with a housing shortage, disproportionately affecting students. The city's international character, marked by a constant influx of diplomats, interns, students, and academics, creates a unique and competitive housing market. Many students face considerable challenges in finding suitable accommodation. One student, Camille, recounted spending her initial weeks in Geneva moving between hotels every two nights, taking advantage of a "Geneva gift card" promotion to mitigate costs. Others have found that personal networks are key to finding housing in the city, a dynamic which greatly disadvantages international students.

The Grand Morillon residence was anticipated to alleviate this problem, at least for Graduate Institute students, by offering more affordable and accessible housing options. However, despite the initial enthusiasm, concerns about affordability and transparency quickly surfaced.

Affordability Concerns

While the opening of Grand Morillon saw approximately 60 students move in initially, followed by another 100 in February, the residence's occupancy rate remains relatively low compared to its capacity of 678 beds. Similar to the Edgar and Danielle de Picciotto student residence, Grand Morillon is perceived as expensive by a significant portion of the student population. In fact, survey data indicates that a large percentage of respondents consider both Picciotto and Grand Morillon to be expensive. This raises questions about the accessibility of these residences for students with limited financial resources.

Transparency and Management Issues

Adding to the concerns about affordability, issues regarding transparency in the allocation process have also emerged. Students reported a lack of clarity regarding the possibility of subletting their rooms during the summer, leading to discontent. Despite potential clauses in the contract suggesting subletting is possible with administrative approval, some students have been denied this option when inquiring about it. While the delayed opening and initial management challenges can be attributed to unforeseen circumstances and the rushed welcome in January, these issues highlight the need for improved communication and responsiveness to student concerns.

The Institute's Perspective: Revenue Diversification

It's important to acknowledge the economic context in which Grand Morillon was developed. The Graduate Institute has faced economic challenges, exacerbated by the pandemic. The construction of this well-equipped residence represents a significant investment. According to Philippe Burrin, the construction of Grand Morillon was motivated by the need to diversify revenue streams. Similarly, Rolf Soiron, chairman of the foundation board, emphasized the project's role as an investment that strengthens the Institute's institutional independence. This perspective suggests that student housing is viewed, in part, as a source of revenue for the Institute.

A Disconnect Between Needs and Offerings

The prevailing sentiment among students is that the Institute's focus on creating a luxurious residence with numerous amenities overlooks the fundamental need for affordable housing. Many students have expressed a desire for simpler, more budget-friendly options. This disconnect between the Institute's offerings and students' needs underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the financial constraints faced by a significant portion of the student population.

Kengo Kuma's Architectural Vision

Designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates, Grand Morillon stands out with its unique architectural features. The design team rejected the typical organization which sees shared areas on the bottom levels with apartments designated to the upper levels. Instead, the common areas - including communal kitchens, laundry rooms, sport facilities, library, study areas, cafeteria - are scattered across the buildings, linked directly to the carved pedestrian promenade. The metal facade opens outward with sliding shutters. The structure is the result of a winning competition entry announced in 2017, organized by the graduate institute of international and development studies (IHEID). The project houses 700 beds for IHEID students. while offering these various apartment types for private times of retreat, the team understands the need for spontaneous interaction between students while traveling between the dorms and classes. rather than connect the building with vertical circulation, relying purely on elevators, the carved-out ribbon of promenade ensures that students will have these points of meeting and engaging along their way. a natural community is thus promoted alongside the private apartments so that students are not isolated.

The Ascending Promenade

The design team rejected the typical organization which sees shared areas on the bottom levels with apartments designated to the upper levels. Instead, the common areas - including communal kitchens, laundry rooms, sport facilities, library, study areas, cafeteria - are scattered across the buildings, linked directly to the carved pedestrian promenade. Inside, the spaces are curated with warm wood to contrast the gray and white tones of the facade. The metal facade opens outward with sliding shutters.

The design features an ascending promenade "carved" into the building's volume, providing pedestrian access to all floors and the rooftops. This design choice aims to promote a more active lifestyle and encourage interaction among residents. The architect begins by describing the project’s ambitions and challenges.‘this project started as part of an international competition. our initial proposal was so ambitious that this project could perfectly have finished becoming one of those competition entries that are well appreciated for their surprising twists but finally not selected to go forward. the proposal was based on a series of solutions that were not, by far, part of the requirements. we were aware that, although we were giving to the client what they needed, it was not necessarily what they were asking for.

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Challenges and Ambitions

This ambitious design, however, presented several challenges during both the competition and construction phases. Questions arose regarding the client's willingness to embrace a design that intertwined public and private spaces. Concerns were also raised about the feasibility of maintaining a structurally sound and mechanically unobstructed promenade. Also, the design team questioned the usual program segregation that places the public facilities on the ground floor and the residences units above; a typology that heavily relies on the use of elevators. instead, an ascending promenade, as a new kind of public space, would allow pedestrian access to all floors and activities, from the ground floor all the way up to the rooftops.

Creating a Sense of Community

The architect explains how the four realms - the private, the collective, the common, and the public - are intensely interwoven, but not mixed.‘most of the mass of this building is composed by the approx. 700 beds’ student studios and apartments forming a rational and modular-like volume that strictly follows a 2.8 meter grid. the expanded metal screen shutters allow to the students living within to adjust their privacy level at every moment -- as well as the amount of natural light and breeze. it is very exciting to see how the façade constantly changes according to the operability of these shutters throughout the different times of the day or seasons of the year. despite the rationality of this part of the volume, its façade becomes an expression of the life of the students within. carved into this rational volume, the collective activities are placed along a public ascending promenade that goes from the ground level all the way up to the roof.

Moving Forward: A Call for Compromise

Looking ahead, it is crucial to find a compromise that addresses both the Institute's financial needs and the students' housing concerns. As students, contributing to the Institute's financial stability is important, and those who can afford to live in Grand Morillon should consider doing so. However, the Graduate Institute must also recognize the financial limitations of many students and consider their needs when making decisions about housing options. A balance between revenue generation and affordability is essential to ensure that all students have access to suitable and reasonably priced accommodation.

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