Swiss Bank Taps Lake Geneva's Geothermal Power for Eco-Friendly HQ

As of September 2025, Lombard Odier, one of Switzerland's largest private banks, has opened a new headquarters that taps into the geothermal power of Lake Geneva to heat and cool the building. The two-century-old bank's new 1Roof building, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, is a striking example of sustainable corporate architecture.

The building's innovative GeniLac system draws thousands of litres of water from 45 metres below the surface of Lake Geneva, where temperatures remain a steady 7°C. This water is used to regulate the temperature inside the building, cutting cooling energy use by up to 80% and heating-related CO2 emissions by a similar margin. The closed-loop system ensures the water is returned to the lake at almost the same temperature, minimizing the risk of disrupting the lake's ecosystem.

In addition to the geothermal technology, the building incorporates other sustainable features, such as deep balconies to shield south-facing windows, a vegetation-covered roof, and a rainwater collection system. These measures aim to conserve energy and adapt to rising summer temperatures in Switzerland.

Lombard Odier's new headquarters is designed to achieve the highest levels of three prestigious sustainability certifications: Minergie-P, SNBS, and BREEAM. This would place the building among the most sustainable commercial structures in Switzerland, reflecting the country's commitment to renewable energy solutions for the built environment.