Merya Conversion Sanitary Building by BARAKI – Innovative Public Architecture in Fribourg, Switzerland

Located in the scenic region of Fribourg, Switzerland, the Merya Conversion Sanitary Building by BARAKI Architects transforms a late-1980s public restroom into an extraordinary blend of functionality, design, and landscape integration. Completed in 2021, this 240 m² project exemplifies how thoughtful public architecture can elevate everyday infrastructure into an experiential, contemplative space.

Originally part of the Gruyère motorway rest area, the facility was designed in a post-modernist style, using vernacular materials like local river pebbles and reinforced concrete. The building features a masonry base and a distinctive glued-laminated timber frame forming a two-sloped roof. Its off-set triangular volume creates a covered forecourt, providing visitors with panoramic views of Lac de Gruyère and the Fribourg Pre-Alps. Four oblique support beams anchor the structure to the ground while visually framing the surrounding landscape.

The renovation focused on improving public restroom functionality, safety, and maintenance efficiency. The internal circulation was reconfigured to allow direct access from the covered square to self-contained WC cubicles. The architects were given freedom of expression, emphasizing everyday experience in public infrastructure. BARAKI’s approach challenges the perception that architecture is reserved for monumental projects, highlighting the potential of mundane spaces to engage users and their surroundings.

Inside, the building reveals a stainless steel-clad interior that cleverly camouflages structural joints and amplifies the surrounding landscape through reflective surfaces. This design choice avoids cluttering the existing context with additional materials, creating a seamless and airy environment. Linear LED lighting integrates subtly into the sandblasted cladding, and the asphalt flooring continues the visual flow of adjacent roads, reinforcing a sense of continuity. The mirrored surfaces create a visual symmetry, enhancing the off-axis architectural composition while maintaining a minimalistic aesthetic.

The front exterior includes bespoke urban furniture, designed in collaboration with Elie Fazel and Valentin Sieber. Prefabricated concrete 'City Blocks' serve as bases for seating, tables, and coat racks, encouraging visitors to pause, rest, and appreciate the surrounding views. Through these interventions, a previously unnoticed public restroom is transformed into a contemplative landscape observatory, merging practicality with architectural and experiential quality.

The Merya Conversion Sanitary Building demonstrates the potential of infrastructure design to elevate everyday experiences. By integrating landscape, light, and material innovation, BARAKI turns a simple motorway restroom into a public space that celebrates Swiss natural beauty while offering a functional, safe, and comfortable environment.

All photographs are works of Matthieu Croizier