Link Architectes
Stable conversion
best architects 23
renovation and addition
Place
Chernex, Switzerland
Studio
Photos
Julie Masson
Description
Forming part of a dense, adjoining set of typical
local buildings, the project lies at the heart of the village of Chernex in the
upper part of the municipality of Montreux, above the shores of Lake Geneva. The
goal was to transform the stable adjoining the old post house dating from the
eighteenth century, which originally housed horses for the postal service. Set
back from the main body of the building and the street, the ground floor of the
stable was occupied solely by a professional kitchen serving the former inn.
The rest of the space was bare and unused. The entire space was cleared to make
way for an individual home. The size of the structure is determined and defined
by the juxtaposition of neighbouring buildings. Only the south- and east-facing
façades are accessible, and it was there that most external work was done. Facing
the Dents du Midi and the mouth of the Rhône, the southern façade had undergone
several alterations over the years. It consisted of a wide variety of materials
and openings as required by the interior layout. This façade was demolished
entirely and the stones used to build it were carefully preserved for
subsequent re-use. The new wall combines stonework and concrete in a fresh
interpretation of the existing structure. The windows have been arranged in a
new layout that makes the most of the view whilst ensuring the inside of the
property is not overlooked by neighbouring buildings.