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History
Invented in Switzerland in 1992 by watchmaking engineer Eric Joray, Vitrocsa redefined architecture by making window frames invisible.
1989
Origins and Beginnings
Trained in the rigours of the watchmaking industry, and with a passion for orchids, Eric Joray created the company Orchidées Constructions SA to develop and construct greenhouses and conservatories. More than 800 traditional conservatories were built in just a few years.
1992
Origins and Beginnings
Eric Joray invented the Vitrocsa minimalist window, entirely manufactured in the Swiss town of Saint-Aubin-Sauges, in a former watchmaking building.
1993
Origins and Beginnings
Launch of Vitrocsa 1001 and 2001 windows. The first Vitrocsa window was installed in a villa close to Geneva, created by Swiss architect Andrea Bassi
1994
Origins and beginnings
Eric Joray registered the Vitrocsa trademark and the first patent for the Vitrocsa sliding system. All the innovative systems have been developed in-house by the same Research & Development department and patents are filed on a regular basis.
Vitres Orchidées Constructions SA
1995
First installation
Several traditional conservatories were created using Vitrocsa 2001 windows
1996
First collaboration
With the collaboration of Swiss architect Andrea Bassi, Vitrocsa came up with a new design for the Vitrocsa 3001 window.
2000
The system is attracting more interest
Multiple extensions of homes and new-builds were constructed using Vitrocsa 3001 windows.
2002
New system development and European market launch
Vitrocsa developed the guillotine solution.
To stay true to the goal of remaining a small company, without compromising global growth, Vitrocsa quickly decided to opt for a clear strategy: develop partnerships abroad through licensing agreements.
Vitrocsa entered the European market with the Braga stadium in Portugal, built by architect Eduardo Souto de Moura for the Euro 2004 football championships.
2007
New range development
Launch of the Vitrocsa TH+ range, designed for excellent insulating properties.
2010
New range development
Launch of the Vitrocsa Swimms range designed to meet the needs of hot countries.
2011
New system development
Development of the invisible frame system.
2012
New systems development
To meet the needs of a project based in Cyprus, Foster + Partners, one of the most renowned architecture firms in the UK, sought an innovative solution for terraces. After extensive tests, the Vitrocsa team developed the revolutionary Turnable Corner system and filed a patent.
The same year, the Curved system is developed.
2014
New range development and achievement
Vitrocsa won the jury prize and the public prize in the “Products + Access” category for its invisible frame system at the Architizer A+Awards 2014.
Launch of the Vitrocsa V32 range, with thermal reinforcement.
2015
Change of leadership
Vitrocsa underwent a major change in its structure. Eric Joray gradually passed the baton to his team. A group of six people was then formed with a view to buying out and taking over the company.
2016
Developments and achievement
Vitrocsa became the owner of the watchmaking building located in the Swiss town of Saint-Aubin-Sauges, employing about twenty staff. Worldwide, the brand’s partners selling and installing the product exceeded 500 people.
2017
New range development
Launch of the Vitrocsa V56 range. It allows infinite glazing surfaces.
2018
Developments and achievement
Vitrocsa obtains Swiss Label certification. This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to providing products of excellence, renowned for their quality and authenticity.
2019
Vitrocsa acquired two new machines
A Tornos bar-turner and a machine for crimping profiles and thermal breaks
2020
New system development
The motorised curved application was developed
2021
New system development and achievement
The invisible frame with one insulated track was launched.
This innovation won three prizes at the “Architizer A+Products Awards”, in the “Residential”, “Doors and Hardware” and “Commercial” categories.
2022
New system development and achievement
2024
Construction of the new Vitrocsa Headquarters begins
Laying the foundations for a space dedicated to innovation, precision and architectural dialogue.
2025
Completion and relocation to Vitrocsa’s new Headquarters
A place where our vision, expertise and minimal systems take shape at full scale.
The Vitrocsa Revolution
All technical revolutions need their pioneers. Although not known to the wider public, Eric Joray is one of them. The Vitrocsa founder is the inventor of the modern minimalist window.
Why “modern”? The first minimalist windows were actually developed in 1945. However, the technology available at that time could not provide the sealing, insulating or strength properties found in today’s windows. It was not until 1992, after another 47 years of developments in glass production, that Eric Joray invented the Vitrocsa minimalist window, using patented methods that would revolutionise the world of architecture.
It was, in every sense of the word, a revolution. Let’s make a comparison:
- Nikola Tesla did not come up with the concept of the alternating current. What he did do was make it transportable and usable on a large scale – an innovation that had a profound effect on our civilisation.
- Likewise, Eric Joray did not come up with the concept of the minimalist window. What he did do was invert the classic principles of its construction.
By enabling the glass to support its frame, Vitrocsa custom window systems can replace traditional window frames with near-invisible casing profiles. This was the starting point for more than 25 years of innovation that would expand the boundaries of architecture across a broad range of applications.
Inspired by Orchids
Eric Joray’s professional decisions were guided by his passions. Trained in precision mechanics, he worked
in the watchmaking sector for 10 years – a natural choice for this boy from the Neuchâtel mountains. He
then became involved in the creation of prefabricated homes. Crucially, this gave him eight years’ experience
in the fields of architecture and construction. He then began growing orchids.
Watchmaking, architecture, orchids… three fields brought together by Eric Joray’s passion for beauty, and
linked by a simple sentence:
Having trouble making the link to minimalist windows? Well, where do you grow orchids? In greenhouses
and conservatories… with large glazed panels. He combined his expertise to build more than 800
conservatories, marking the first milestone on the journey to his true vocation.
Staying true to his roots, he created the first modern minimalist window in Saint-Aubin-Sauges, Switzerland,
in a former watchmaking building that would become his company headquarters. And, true to his values, he
employed only those who shared his love of technical mastery and overcoming challenges. The result was
Vitrocsa: a contraction of “VITRes” (French for windows), “Orchidées” (orchids), “Constructions” and “SA” (a
French abbreviation
