Trained as an architect, Stéphane Moyroud recently joined Bativert SA, continuing his long-standing collaboration with Bertrand Duckert. This passionate professional, who has been active for 25 years and has specialized for over 15 years in construction management and, more specifically, renovation, shares his vision of the market and Bativert's positioning.
Stéphane Moyroud: What type of project best suits Bativert?
Our core business is divided between new-build construction, renovation/conversion and environmental standardization of existing buildings, on small to medium-sized programs. In recent years, I've specialized in the realization phase, more specifically in the renovation of old and luxury properties for private owners, but also in the extensive restoration of a prestigious historic building in Geneva. My references include the renovation of old farmhouses, the elevation of a 19th-century building on an occupied site, and the extensive restructuring of an EMS. I bring this particular expertise to our already extensive team.
How does Bativert stand out in this highly competitive market?
Our business model responds to the new priorities of building owners, with an à la carte service offering, transparent financial management and a network of top specialists to carry out our conceptual and technical studies. Each member of our team has extensive experience of both renovation and new-build projects in French-speaking Switzerland, and we can count on first-rate craftsmen with whom we have enjoyed a relationship of trust for many years. We can mobilize these experienced teams quickly. Last but not least, we are also renowned for the accuracy and quality of our cost estimates, which is much appreciated by our customers and partners alike.
You're very interested in renovation. Why?
Building is a pleasure, and it's true that conversion and renovation are disciplines I'm passionate about. It's all part of a heritage approach, and traditional know-how, in line with the customer's vision of how to develop and optimize his property. Interacting with the various protagonists in this type of project calls for specific knowledge and constant questioning. It also raises the question of what contemporary technology can and should bring to the "old", without altering its soul. Beyond these historical aspects, this is a buoyant market in view of the Swiss government's directives on the energy standardization of buildings.
You describe Bativert as a company on a human scale. What does this mean?
Bativert is rapidly gaining ground in the French-speaking market, thanks to our corporate culture based on high-quality customer relations and a human approach to the act of building, with and for our customers. Most of us have worked on representative projects in French-speaking Switzerland, and Bertrand Duckert himself has remarkable expertise, particularly after 15 years at the head of a leading group in the field.
What do today's customers expect?
If our customer is an investor, he or she is looking to build or renovate a program with good value for money, in order to achieve profitability targets. My colleague, Nicolas Salgado, is regularly asked about these financial issues, which require a great deal of precision. A private individual or an architect, on the other hand, will be looking for advice and a detailed understanding of the project, and may even want to make proposals for technical and/or energy optimization. Bertrand and I both trained as architects, and are equally competent in analyzing design studies. Our role is first and foremost to serve our customers and partners to the highest possible standard. Trust is the key to success.
What projects are you most enthusiastic about at the moment?
Our current and future projects include the renovation of a magnificent privately-owned building in Vandœuvres, to a very high standard of finish. We were also recently awarded a public tender to manage the conversion of an old farmhouse into office space. The diversity and technical nature of these projects captivates me, and I'm looking forward to working on them with the Bativert team.