This project was directed by Ralph Germann for a family of 5 (a couple with 3 children) living in the village of Orsières, Switzerland.
The old barn (dating from 1920) was originally used by farmers to store hay in the upper volume while the lower part, built of stone, was used as a barn for goats or sheep. The size of the barn was not enough to accommodate the family of five. The solution proposed by Ralph Germann was to add a contemporary wood annex to the barn connected by a two-level walkway.
The barn was completely emptied to rebuild a reinforced concrete structure (walls and slabs) to meet the seismic requirements of the region. An interior thermal insulation was made to not alter the appearance of the barn to maintain its vernacular aesthetic. The insertion of large windows in the masonry respected the original building. Glass simply took the place of wood. A loggia balcony in concrete and wood replaces the old balcony that was used to dry the hay in the sun.
The materials used for the interior are: oiled larch for floors, plaster for walls and ceilings, solid larch for the main staircase and furniture, raw black steel for the fireplace and slate for the bathrooms. The wooden furniture (tables, benches, cupboards ...) was designed by Ralph Germann architects to achieve a coherent overall design of the project. The main element, the backbone of this house, is the massive larch staircase that allows light and sound to travel from one floor to another.
