Geotechnical engineering office with in-house soil and laboratory testing for construction projects in French-speaking Switzerland

Karakas et Français SA

Lausanne · Petit-Lancy (Genève) · Martigny · BulleNew on Amplifa

1964Founded

60Employees (approx.)

4Locations in French-speaking Switzerland

10 000Completed projects (approx.)

About Karakas et Français SA

Karakas et Français SA (KFSA) is an engineering office specialized in geotechnics, headquartered in Lausanne and active in French-speaking Switzerland since 1964. The team of around 60 civil engineers, geologists and laboratory technicians analyzes the properties of the subsoil, prepares technical recommendations for geotechnical structures, designs and dimensions geostructures, and investigates the subsurface for geological risks. In addition, the company advises on environmental and sustainability aspects of projects and carries out investigations of soil and subsurface properties in its own testing laboratories. Reference projects include the shaft and Beau-Séjour connecting gallery of the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Sion station square, the Bruson water reservoir, and construction projects in Geneva and Plan-les-Ouates. In addition to its Lausanne headquarters, KFSA maintains branches in Petit-Lancy (Geneva), Martigny and Bulle. Since its founding, around 10 000 projects have been completed.

Site: Lausanne
Processes: Geotechnics – Soil analysis and technical recommendations for geotechnical structures, Geostructures – Design and dimensioning of structures, Geology – Subsurface investigation, Environment – Consulting on the environmental sustainability of projects, Testing and Measurements – Analysis of subsurface characteristics, Geotechnics, Geostructures (design and dimensioning), Geology
Founded: 1964
Employees: 60
Industries: Construction and civil engineering, Geothermal energy, Hydropower, Healthcare, Civil engineering, Construction

01
Geotechnical analysis of the subsoil
02
Geology – investigation of the subsurface
03
Testing and measurement technology in the company's own laboratory
04
Conception and dimensioning of geostructures
05
Environmental and sustainability consulting

Locations

Lausanne

Headquarters

Petit-Lancy (Genève)

Geneva branch

Martigny

Valais branch

Bulle

Bulle branch

Industries

Construction and civil engineeringGeothermal energyHydropowerHealthcareCivil engineeringConstructionGeothermal energyHealthcare (HUG)Hydroelectric power

Processes & technical limits

Processes	Tolerance	Max. part	Weight	Lot size	Materials
Geotechnics – Soil analysis and technical recommendations for geotechnical structuresEngineering	–	–	–	–	–
Geostructures – Design and dimensioning of structuresEngineering	–	–	–	–	–
Geology – Subsurface investigationEngineering	–	–	–	–	–
Environment – Consulting on the environmental sustainability of projectsEngineering	–	–	–	–	–
Testing and Measurements – Analysis of subsurface characteristicsTesting	–	–	–	–	–

Additional services

GeotechnicsGeostructures (design and dimensioning)GeologyEnvironmentTesting and MeasurementsLaboratory

Reference customers

HUG (Beau-Séjour Shaft and Connecting Gallery)

History

1964
Founding of the office Schopfer et Karakas SA
1995
Founding of Karakas & Français SA as successor to the geotechnical department of Schopfer et Karakas SA
2000
Olivier Français leaves the company; the firm passes to Gencer, Gebel and Voit
2001
Opening of the Valais branch in Martigny
2003
Opening of a branch in Geneva
2006
Thibaud Meynet joins the management board
2014
Christophe Bédat, head of the Martigny branch, becomes a partner and member of the management board
2016
Opening of the branch in Bulle
2024
Expansion of the management board