By Estelle Richard
In response to the limitations of traditional construction models, Immersia offers an alternative: end-to-end strategic support, free from conflicts of interest and built on financial transparency. Backed by the combined expertise of its founders and a well-established network, the company is redefining how real estate projects are managed in French-speaking Switzerland.
The observation that led to the creation of Immersia was unequivocal: large general contractors excel at construction, but too often overlook the broader vision of a real estate project. Yet, “real estate is broader than that, and it seemed interesting to me that a single company could be the client’s counterpart throughout the real estate lifecycle,” explains Eric Bilard. This holistic vision is the founding pillar of Immersia, whose very name evokes total immersion in the client’s world.
The company’s structure reflects this all-encompassing ambition. Eric Bilard, trained in site management and holding a master’s degree in business, was quickly joined by Michel Clivaz, an experienced architect with forty years in the profession, and then by Maxime Willemin, draftsman and works director. This trio of skills creates a unique dynamic in which each area of expertise naturally takes the lead depending on the project phase. One assesses the buildable potential of a plot and prepares the financial framework, another designs the architecture that will bring the calculated floor space to life, while the third oversees the concrete execution on site. “Each person takes the lead at a different stage of development,” says Eric Bilard. This complementarity allows Immersia to operate across the entire real estate spectrum, from the initial assessment of a plot through to post-construction property management, including financial structuring, architectural design, site monitoring and marketing.
In an industry where hidden margins and conflicts of interest are not uncommon, Immersia has chosen a different path: total transparency. From the outset of a project, a detailed financial plan is drawn up and validated with the client. All financial flows pass directly between the client and the contracted companies. Immersia acts as coordinator and representative, but does not handle the funds. “Every negotiated discount benefits the client directly,” underlines Eric Bilard. The company’s remuneration is clearly defined in advance, either on an hourly basis, ensuring absolute neutrality, or as a percentage of costs, with established caps.
“Immersia does not position itself as a one-off service provider, but as a long-term partner. We are their outsourced real estate management team.“
This financial structure is a powerful differentiator. Free from any hidden commission or conflicting interest, Immersia is able to advise with complete independence. “We are not here to sell the services of a mason or a heating contractor. Our only objective is for the client to obtain their asset at the best possible value for money.”
Behind every successful project, Immersia relies on a network of partners carefully built over decades: local architects, specialist engineers, general contractors and skilled tradespeople. This network was not built on commercial opportunism or referral fees, but on trust and proven track records. For the client, it means access to a reliable ecosystem selected for the quality and reliability of its work, rather than for any logic of kickbacks.
Today, half of Immersia’s revenue comes from institutions and organisations with significant property assets but no dedicated in-house structure. “We are their outsourced real estate management team,” Eric Bilard sums up. Immersia does not position itself as a one-off service provider, but as a long-term partner. Some clients delegate management to us entirely and ask only for a monthly report. Others want to be involved at every stage. Immersia adapts its support to each client’s expectations, with attentive listening and a sharp understanding of the emotional and financial stakes involved in any real estate project.
“Where others intervene in segments, Immersia orchestrates the whole. Where some models generate conflicts of interest, the company stands for transparency.”
In the French-speaking Swiss market, shaped by urban densification, regulatory complexity and the need to preserve heritage, Immersia’s added value is clear: a broad strategic vision, asserted financial independence, integrated technical expertise and a trusted network. Where others intervene in segments, Immersia orchestrates the whole. Where some models generate conflicts of interest, the company stands for transparency. And where the client relationship is often limited to the handover of a completed building, Immersia embeds its action in the long term.
In this approach, the client’s success is not a marketing argument: it is the very measure of the company’s success.
“Every negotiated discount benefits the client directly. We are not here to sell the services of a mason or a heating contractor.“
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