FIELDWORK IN THE GREATER GENEVADesign Studio Viganò

The MAS UTD students kicked off their Design Studio this semester with an exciting bike fieldwork through the Grand Genève region, which spans both Switzerland and France, stretched along the Leman lakeshores. This immersive journey marked the beginning of their in-depth exploration of the Chablais.

During an over 80 km ride, the students not only experienced the region’s rich landscapes but also encountered a range of local challenges, paradoxes, and tensions—issues they will need to continue exploring and reflecting upon throughout the semester. From navigating political boundaries to understanding the needs of local communities and the environment, these real-world complexities are central to their design process.

Along the way, they engaged with local actors, including institutions, citizens, and associations, who shared their perspectives on the region’s future. These conversations will help guide the students as they work toward crafting a vision for the future of the Chablais, balancing sustainable development, cross-border cooperation, and the diverse needs of the people who live there.

During the fieldwork, the students organized into three working groups, each focusing on a specific site within the Chablais region: one group is exploring a cross-border forest and its relationships with a network of villages on its borders, a second group is investigating a wetland system at the foot of the Voirons mountains, and a third group is focusing on a commercial and industrial platform situated on a topographic terrace at the entrance to the city of Thonon.