“Works out”

As part of the ideas competition for the redevelopment of Place de la Riponne and Place du Tunnel, this project proposes a renewed interpretation of these emblematic public spaces in downtown Lausanne through two simple yet powerful gestures: the installation of temporary tennis courts at Place de la Riponne and the creation of a permanent covered market at Place du Tunnel.

Place de la Riponne is envisioned as an urban sports field: a lively, open space where tennis becomes a pretext for social activation, daily use, and the mingling of different publics. Far from the empty monumentality the square sometimes experiences, the courts establish a new grid, a new rhythm in the space, where athletic leisure blends with strolling and contemplation. The white lines of the courts redraw the ground, while the light, removable structures encourage seasonal and popular appropriation of the place.

Place du Tunnel, on the other hand, hosts a permanent market: a covered hall inspired by vernacular typologies and designed to offer daily and inclusive programming. This market becomes a beating heart, a space for economic and cultural exchange, suited to a diverse range of producers and users. It responds to strong local demand for short supply chains, informal encounters, and continuous neighborhood activity.