Lake House, Geneva – ARRCC / SAOTA
This family residence and office, located on the shores of Lake Geneva and designed by SAOTA with interiors by ARRCC, was created for a successful Senegalese entrepreneur residing in Switzerland. The design reflects the owner’s heritage, showcasing an emerging African-inspired aesthetic characterized by its sculptural form, material choices, and texture.
The triangular configuration of the site, coupled with stringent planning regulations, posed significant constraints to the design. The solution involved sculpting architectural forms from the triangular site, resulting in a ‘reductive’ sculptural style featuring rounded cubes and triangular masses.
Mark Rielly, Director at ARRCC, noted that this daring design approach significantly influenced the interior aesthetic. Collaborating closely with the homeowners, Mark curated a diverse selection of décor and furniture from both South African and international brands. “The contemporary architectural space guided the design direction, leading to a modern style with decor from varied origins,” Rielly remarked.
Inside, the finishes include walnut cabinetry, marble and travertine flooring, and light granite wall cladding accented with stainless steel details. Outside, dark zinc cladding envelops the sculptural elements, while textured granite adorns the feature walls and floors. The ground floor features a double-volume living area with a curved glass wall overlooking the lake, seamlessly connecting to the dining area and kitchen, while the upper level hosts the bedrooms and en-suites. Furniture with organic, rounded designs was chosen to complement the irregularly shaped main living spaces, which are divided into formal and informal zones centred around a standout fireplace—a suspended black flue with a fire dish fixed to the floor.
Comfort in this spacious, open-plan layout is enhanced through modular furniture, such as Arne sofas from B&B Italia, allowing for easy reconfiguration to maintain a flow between the living areas. Luxurious layering is achieved with custom GT armchairs from South African studio OKHA and a leather pouffe designed by Dominique Perrault and Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost, effectively bridging the divide between the formal and informal spaces.
Interior Design & Décor: ARRCC – Project team: Mark Rielly / Architecture: SAOTA - Project Team: Stefan Antoni, Greg Truen / Photography: Adam Letch, Stefan Antoni
