Conversion of a Farmhouse into Six Apartments
The conversion of this former farmhouse and its Category B protected dwelling is based on an approach in which the existing building forms the starting point of the project. Its heritage value lies not only in its appearance, but also in its construction system, materiality, and capacity to accommodate new uses without losing its identity.
The timber structure, combined with the rubble stone walls, becomes the defining element of the new organisation. The existing structural grid guides the layout of the apartments and allows for the development of dual-aspect typologies, where natural light and connections to the surrounding landscape contribute to the quality of the living spaces. Rather than transforming the building, the interventions seek to extend and reinforce its existing qualities.
The project favours a restrained construction approach based on material coherence. The stone walls are preserved and insulated with a lime-based insulating render, allowing them to retain their breathability. New partitions are built in solid timber, while elements required to meet fire safety regulations are discreetly integrated. New timber floors, combined with an anhydrite screed, reduce the use of concrete and optimise construction resources.
Reuse is considered both a design principle and an environmental choice. Timber recovered on site is reintegrated into walls, floors and built-in elements, extending the material memory of the farmhouse while reducing the environmental impact of the construction process. New interventions rely on simple materials — timber, lime and aerated concrete — selected for their compatibility with the historic fabric and their durability.
The conversion does not seek to create a contrast between old and new. Instead, it establishes a constructive continuity in which each intervention remains legible without disrupting the balance of the whole. The project proposes an architecture attentive to heritage, based on an economy of means, the reuse of resources, and the quality of inhabited spaces.
