a+r Architekten

Description

The new grain store at the Marbach State Stud’s site in St. Johann exemplifies the essence of contemporary agricultural construction: functional, durable and architecturally refined. Following the fire that destroyed the historical barn in 2017, a new hall was built that translates technical complexity into a calm, clear form, integrating seamlessly into the listed ensemble on the Swabian Alb. Measuring 37 by 21 metres, the structure organises operations along a central intake axis with a concrete pathway, partly covered with grating, known as the «Gosse», and a conveyor system in the basement. An elevator lifts the grain to a rooftop «lantern», from where it is distributed to silos and storage boxes. The hybrid construction of reinforced concrete and timber combines durability with sustainability. Untreated Douglas fir clads the façade, gradually weathering to match the colour scheme of the surrounding buildings. Photovoltaics and precisely integrated technical systems make this hall a prime example of how function, cost-efficiency and design can be brought together within a given context.