Atelier Dimanche

Description

The Yard House is part of the Engelwirt Hotel & Apartments ensemble in the fortified village of Berching (DE). The new building follows the silhouette of an old workshop that was originally standing at the back of the courtyard. Set between the walls of the two adjoining buildings, the south façade consists of a series of generously glazed wooden frames. A diagonally projecting structure supports the eaves, which act as sun protection. The V-shapes of this element echo the typology of the diagonal wood braces visible under the roofs of the historic passageways that sit atop the fortified village walls. The primary and secondary frameworks of the building are identifiable by their distinct colours. They are interrupted to make space for the integrated downspouts in between the beams. The recessed façade on the upper floor creates a peaceful outdoor shelter connected to the bedrooms. The interior spaces of the two apartments are developed over intermediate levels to respect the authorised height, which was limited by the old workshop’s asymmetrical roof footprint. This arrangement makes the most of the available space. The mid-level accommodates the bathrooms and storage spaces, which also benefit from skylights on the northern side. On the ground floor, the main space is completely open. The kitchen becomes the backdrop and the sliding doors extend the living space into the garden.