LOCALARCHITECTURE: hangar agricole, switzerland
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first image
'hangar agricole' by LOCALARCHITECTURE, neuchâtel, switzerland
image © matthieu gafsou
all images courtesy of LOCALARCHITECTURE
true to their namesake, lausanne-based LOCALARCHITECTURE has continued to practice an architecture in service of the vernacular.
acting as an extension of the main farmhouse, this large-scale countryside shed relies on the aesthetics of self-built architectural typologies to create volumes of space.
the building is sited primarily to avoid excavations and embankments, but additionally weaves into the topography of the surrounding orchard.
cerisier, as the property is called, is a vast agricultural domain surrounded by the jura mountains and overseen by the famous chasseral pass,
lending the idyllic northeastern swiss landscape to frame the architecture.
the simple frame speaks to the unique concept in farm life that shared work begets shared gain. the structure elaborates on this idea by asserting that
shared space, in this context, is productive space. a combination of locally harvested logs and CNC milled fir were fashioned into pairs of large-spans ribs that
allowed for both architectural precision and the changing needs of the farmer. the 'hangar' is formally defined by both its edges and materials,
two ideas that serve to emphasize the context of the bucolic swiss landscape as well as a variable program that demanded space for a tractor,
agricultural machinery, repair shop, timber storage and a doghouse. the simplicity of the form belies the complexity of the design problem;
the existing rustic building had an opportunity to integrate itself more readily into the the landscape, but the pragmatism of the program
called for an architecture that spoke of materials and sensitivity to agricultural history. the result is a form made rich by its gesture--
a sloping profile that visually clings to the cornice of the existing farmhouse and gently lowers the orchard and the surrounding field.
the site is south of the chasseral with a 1000 m altitude
image © matthieu gafsou
the shed is an extension of the lines and space of the farmhouse
image © matthieu gafsou
cnc milled fir and locally harvested wood combine to create a materially interesting exterior
image © matthieu gafsou
image © matthieu gafsou
the shed is a open, sloping, space with simple lines
image © matthieu gafsou
a warm glow emits from the main storage area
image © matthieu gafsou
two large ribs dictated the overall form of the building
image © matthieu gafsou
view of the jura mountains from the interior
image © matthieu gafsou
a combination of light framing and timber construction techniques can be seen from the interior
image © matthieu gafsou
the structure was assembled directly on site
image © matthieu gafsou
image © matthieu gafsou
image © matthieu gafsou
timber provided the form for the rest of the ribs
image © matthieu gafsou
the design process was a collaboration between the farmer-as-client and the architects
image © matthieu gafsou
construction sketches
framework (northside)
framework (southside)
floor plan
short section
long section
north elevation
south elevation
detail of connection and wall section
image © matthieu gafsou
Great… simple and with good dimensions! Nice work!
so often these days you see an old barn and it has gotten so out of plumb that it appears it will tumble down at any moment – here we have a brand new structure that appears the same
Tear down the house – I could live in the shed. Nice.
Jim
beautifully designed and constructed shed++
relation of shed to house is everything here. Either stand alone ..but they extend each other here… rarely achieved!
be nice to see house in detail…..then we can decide whether to knock it down.