Living in a Hayloft by Markus Schlempp Architekt: A Historic Farmhouse Transformed for Contemporary Living

In the tranquil Swiss village of Böztal, nestled near a protected village center, a 300-year-old farmhouse has been respectfully revitalized into a modern residential retreat by Markus Schlempp Architekt. The project, titled "Living in a Hayloft," seamlessly merges heritage preservation with contemporary adaptation, breathing new life into a historic single-roof structure that once housed living quarters, a stable, and a hayloft under one roof.

A Thoughtful Architectural Renovation in Switzerland

With a total floor area of 250 square meters, this adaptive reuse project reimagines the former hayloft into an age-friendly flat that can be accessed directly from ground level. This strategic design enables the remaining parts of the farmhouse to be rented to a young family—fostering multigenerational living while enhancing the usability and functionality of the home.

Preserving the Character of a 300-Year-Old Farmhouse

Maintaining the farmhouse’s traditional character was central to the renovation strategy. Despite the substantial interior transformation, the building’s historic facade and volume remain visually intact, with subtle yet intelligent interventions that balance old and new. A significant challenge arose from the need to introduce modern lighting and views into the deep hayloft space without disrupting the original structure.

To overcome this, wooden slats were introduced to the gable facade where a previous extension once stood. These slats conceal a loggia behind the bedroom wing, creating a luminous yet private buffer zone. Another east-facing loggia sits beneath a glazed roof, accessed via wide double doors from the living area—doubling as a climate-controlled transition space for seasonal changes.

Materiality and Spatial Organization

The reconfigured hayloft is anchored by two contrasting freestanding built-ins that define the interior spaces while respecting the openness of the original volume:

• One wooden core contains the kitchen and bathroom, offering warmth and continuity with the farmhouse’s timber heritage.
• The second clay-built structure houses the bedrooms and a central wood-burning stove, enhancing the home’s tactile richness and thermal mass.

These elements articulate the interior spatially and materially, while the living-dining area benefits from a large, carefully positioned skylight that frames picturesque views of the village and nearby vineyards.

A Sustainable and Sensitive Conversion

Working in collaboration with Timbatec as structural engineer and Zimmerei Frei on roofing, the architectural team prioritized sustainability and low-impact construction. Interior daylighting was maximized using Velux skylights, while the home's appliances and fixtures—supplied by Laufen and Siemens—support energy efficiency.

An Intergenerational Living Model Rooted in History

"Living in a Hayloft" exemplifies the potential of adaptive reuse architecture to deliver sensitive, sustainable, and highly functional living environments. This conversion not only preserves cultural heritage but also supports intergenerational living in a setting that remains visually and contextually authentic.

All Photographs are works of Rene Dürr