Chesa Crameri, Zuoz

Conversion in the Village Centre

This typical Engadine farm house needed to be rehabi-litated and extended. The outline parameters underlying the design brief were respect for the original architecture, the requirements of the local heritage conservation zone and the close proximity of the neighbouring buildings. The existing structure has been integrated in the new design and the original materials have been retained or restored wherever possible. The new components are recognisable as such and enter into an intriguing dialogue with the original fabric of the building.

The alterations to the exterior are primarily aimed at upgrading its ener-gy-saving performance while retaining its appearance: the face render has been replaced, the roof structure has been insulated, the existing windows have been refur-bished and new windows have been added. Where necessary, the latter have been placed in the wall plane that runs behind the open log screen, so as to keep the exterior appearance intact.

The interior of the barn has been converted on the "house within a house" principle, using prefabricated timber frame panels. The high volume of the living room generates an unexpectedly spacious interior. The windows in it are arranged in a composition that creates different lighting moods.

Credits

Direct development
Client: private
Architecture/General Planning: BGP Architekten ETH SIA BSA
Construction Management: Architectura Grunder, Zuoz
Structural Engineering: SJB Kempter Fitze, Frauenfeld
Heating: Kalberer + Partner, Bad Ragaz
Plumbing/Ventilation: Heinz Müller, Madulain
Electrical: Michele Aversa, La Punt Chamues-ch
Building Physics: EK Energiekonzepte, Zürich
Photography: Roger Frei, Zürich

Awards
Graubünden Holz Sonderpreis