Exterior painting in Bernex: the façades of Vieux-Bernex, the wine-growing hamlets of Lully and the buildings in Les Cherpines
Azzo Peinture has been operating in Bernex since 2018, specialising in the renovation and maintenance of façades, renderwork, external timberwork and ironwork. The team comprises two CFC-qualified plasterers and painters, each with over 25 years’ experience in the trade. A traditional façade perched at the top of Vieux-Bernex, a wine-growing farmhouse in Lully or a new villa in Les Cherpines cannot be treated with the same products or the same approach.
Three distinct styles of building facades coexist in Bernex: the hilltop village, the wine-growing hamlets and the new eco-neighbourhoods
Few municipalities in the canton boast such a variety of landscapes within such a small area. Vieux-Bernex, perched atop the hill with its panoramic view of the Lake Geneva basin, retains its traditional façades, exposed to the wind and sun. Lully and Sézenove retain their character as wine-growing hamlets with wine-growers’ farms and wooden shutters. Meanwhile, in Bernex-Nord, Les Cherpines, Vailly and Robert Hainard, one of the canton’s largest eco-neighbourhoods is taking shape — new developments that are already in need of targeted preventive maintenance.
Vieux-Bernex: traditional facades perched high up on the hillside, exposed to the wind and sun
Vieux-Bernex sits atop the hill, with its main square, church and old buildings clustered around the historic centre. This elevated position, with panoramic views over the Lake Geneva basin, subjects the façades to specific conditions — prevailing winds that are stronger than on the plain, longer periods of sunshine and more pronounced temperature fluctuations. A façade in Vieux-Bernex ages more quickly than one at the bottom of the valley, and therefore requires a suitable protection system.
Our approach to these exposed façades:
- Assessment of exposure and damage : On a façade high up in Old Bernx, south- and west-facing areas deteriorate more quickly. We analyse each façade individually, identify the areas requiring more thorough preparation and adapt the products accordingly.
- UV- and weather-resistant paints : On older buildings, we favour silicate-based mineral paints, which are UV-resistant, do not chalk and allow the old walls to breathe. On more recent render, self-cleaning siloxane paints stand the test of time without losing their colour.
- Colour advice tailored to the panoramic view : From Bernex-Village, the façades can be seen from a distance — choosing a colour scheme that harmonises with the entire hilltop hamlet is just as important as it is for the house itself. Professional colour charts were brought to the site, and colour samples were approved in the natural light of the location.
Cherpines, Bernex-Nord and Vailly: preventative maintenance and customisation of eco-neighbourhood facades
The Bernex-Nord and Les Cherpines areas have been undergoing one of the canton’s largest urban development projects for several years. Properties are being handed over in phases — semi-detached houses, Minergie-certified flats and contemporary townhouses. These buildings are new, but they already require targeted maintenance: ageing external timberwork, gates and ironwork that need protecting, wooden shutters that need treating, and the external entrance halls of the blocks of flats that need regular refurbishment.
Our approach to these recent projects:
- Post-delivery customisation of customisable items : In a semi-detached house in Les Cherpines, the gate, garage door, wooden shutters and front door are often supplied in a neutral colour by the developer. Many buyers wish to customise them in the months following handover. We can carry out the work quickly, in the colour of their choice.
- Preventative maintenance of external woodwork : On wooden shutters, eaves and sunshades in new-build developments, applying a protective wood stain within 2 to 5 years of handover significantly extends the lifespan of the wood. This represents a lower-cost maintenance investment and is far more cost-effective than a major refurbishment at a later date.
- Refurbishment of the external communal areas of recent-build blocks of flats : In the external entrance halls, canopies and covered courtyards of Minergie-certified blocks of flats, it only takes a few years for wear and tear to take its toll. We work in coordination with the owners’ committee or the property management company to carry out regular maintenance.
- UV protection for balconies and loggias : In newer blocks of flats facing south, the cladding on balconies and loggias is damaged by UV rays. A suitable treatment protects these surfaces and extends the life of the building’s external envelope.
Lully and Sézenove: wine-growing farms and hamlet streetscapes in the heart of the Bernic wine-growing region
Lully and Sézenove retain their identity as wine-growing hamlets, at the heart of the Bernicois AOC wine-growing region. Former wine-growing farms, winegrowers’ houses with pergolas and arboured walkways, converted farm outbuildings, barns turned into homes: these façades bear witness to the history of winegrowing in Bernex. Owners often wish to preserve this rustic character whilst modernising the external cladding.
Our approach to this vineyard:
- Preserving the rustic character : On a former wine-growing farm, the façade must retain its character — rough render, traditional warm colours, and preserved original features. We systematically avoid overly modern finishes that would detract from the hamlet’s identity.
- Breathable mineral paints on old render : The walls of the wine-growing farmhouses in Lully often date from the 18th or 19th century. Only mineral-based silicate paints or lime washes allow these old walls to ‘breathe’ and stand the test of time.
- Treatment of wooden features, pergolas and arbours : On wine-growing farms, the external wooden features (shutters, pergolas, exposed beams, arbour) form an integral part of the façade. Stripping, fungicide treatment and wood stains suited to the original timber species — each feature is treated to ensure it lasts in the vineyard environment.
The outdoor projects we regularly carry out in Bernex
Four types of building site are a regular feature in the municipality, reflecting the diversity of the Bernese region.
Renovation of a house façade in Vieux-Bernex
For a village house or a period property (with a façade measuring 120 to 220 m²) at the top of the hill: 3 to 5 weeks’ work, depending on the condition of the building and the standard of finish. Assessment of the renderwork; breathable mineral paints suited to the building’s exposure; treatment of the original shutters and woodwork. Specific consideration given to wind conditions and sunlight exposure at the hilltop site.
Customisation of a semi-detached villa in Les Cherpines or Bernex-Nord
For the external customisation of a recently built semi-detached house (gate, garage door, shutters, front door, wooden features): 2 to 5 working days, depending on the elements involved. Quotation within 48 hours, prompt service. Ideal in the months following handover from the developer, or for a refresh after a few years.
Renovation of a wine-growing farmhouse in Lully or Sézenove
For a former wine-growing farmhouse or hamlet house (with a façade measuring 150 to 300 m²): 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the condition of the original render and the number of outbuildings to be treated. Preliminary assessment of the lime render, spot repairs or complete removal, application of breathable mineral paints, and comprehensive treatment of wooden shutters, pergolas and external features.
Preventative maintenance of outdoor communal areas in recently built block-of-flats
For external entrance halls, canopies, covered courtyards and communal outdoor areas in a recently built block of flats in Les Cherpines, Vailly or Robert Hainard: 3 to 8 days, depending on the surface area. Coordination with the co-ownership committee or the property management company; a quote ready for presentation at the general meeting; samples submitted prior to the start of works.
Why new buyers, existing homeowners and Bernese co-ownerships entrust their façades to us
Three tangible differences that are particularly noticeable in Bernex, where old, hilltop buildings and new facades stand side by side.
A dual area of expertise: exposed historic buildings and new building envelopes requiring maintenance
Renovating old render in Vieux-Bernex with a breathable mineral paint in the morning, applying a protective wood stain to the wooden shutters of a new villa in Les Cherpines in the afternoon: this is the reality for a tradesperson working on façades in the Bern region. This dual expertise requires knowledge of both traditional products for historic buildings and modern protective coatings for newer structures. We offer both.
A preventative rather than a remedial approach to new building envelopes
Whether it’s a villa in Les Cherpines or a block of flats in Bernex-Nord, waiting 15 years before carrying out work on the external woodwork would mean having to replace it all. We recommend a preventative maintenance approach — treating shutters, applying wood stain to eaves and protecting gates — within 2 to 5 years of handover. This represents a smaller maintenance investment and is far more sustainable than a major renovation later on.
A single point of contact from quotation to handover
Whether it’s a heritage renovation project in Vieux-Bernex, a bespoke build in Les Cherpines or a façade refurbishment in Lully, seeing different teams at work disrupts decision-making and undermines trust. At Azzo, Aureliano or Harald oversees every project in the Bern region, from quotation to handover. This continuity of contact is just as important for a first-time buyer as it is for the owner of a wine-growing farm in Lully.
A façade renovation project in Bernex, step by step
Five clear stages, tailored to the nature of the project — whether it’s an old building perched on a hillside, a wine-growing hamlet or the new development of an eco-neighbourhood.
- Technical inspection and diagnosis of the façade : site visit to Bernex, assessment of the building’s condition (old render, recent render, new timberwork), analysis of exposure and environmental factors (wind at height, sunlight, view from the street), precise measurements and assessment of access.
- Detailed estimate : preparation, scaffolding where necessary, repairs, undercoat, topcoat — itemised quote, formatted to suit the recipient (individual homeowner, owners’ association, property management company).
- Administrative procedures and planning : submit an application to the Bernex local council for permission to use public land if the building’s façade faces the street; obtain written confirmation of the dates; liaise with the caretaker’s office or the owners’ association.
- Preparation, repair and application : erection of scaffolding where necessary, high-pressure cleaning, repair of surfaces, application of an adhesive primer followed by the top coat — breathable mineral paint on old building fabric, protective wood stain on new timberwork, and suitable coatings depending on the surface.
- Reception and dismantling : final inspection of the façade, approval of the finishes, dismantling of the scaffolding and restoration of any public areas that have been occupied.
Our customers say it best
Planning a painting project in Bernex?
Contact our experienced craftsmen for made-to-measure work in plastering, painting, wall coverings or waxed concrete. We'll give you precise advice and carry out every job with care and passion.
Your exterior painting project in Bernex begins with a site visit
A façade in need of renovation in Vieux-Bernex? A semi-detached villa to personalise in Les Cherpines or Bernex-Nord? A wine-growing farmhouse in need of attention in Lully or Sézenove? Woodwork, ironwork or communal outdoor areas requiring maintenance? Every façade in the Bern region deserves an on-site assessment.
Contact Azzo for a no-obligation technical visit and a detailed quotation.