Residential Barn in Zürich by BE ARCHITEKTUR GMBH, Boris Egli dipl. Architekt FH REG A SIA

Nestled in a rural hamlet near Zürich, Switzerland, the Residential Barn by BE ARCHITEKTUR GMBH and Boris Egli dipl. Architekt FH REG A SIA reinterprets the timeless character of traditional Swiss barns into a contemporary residential design. Surrounded by around 15 historic buildings, the project harmoniously integrates with its agricultural setting, paying homage to local heritage while introducing modern architectural elements.

Blending Tradition with Modern Architecture

At first glance, the home blends discreetly into its rustic surroundings. The facade clad in glazed spruce wood recalls the materiality of traditional barns, while the pitched tiled roof reinforces a familiar rural silhouette. Custom wooden shutters conceal openable windows, while expansive fixed glazing is fronted by sliding timber doors, ensuring privacy, solar protection, and energy efficiency.

A distinctive feature is the raw steel gutter beam, designed without downpipes, allowing rainwater to cascade off the roof edge like a waterfall—a poetic gesture that emphasizes the raw simplicity of barn architecture.

Responding to Topography and Landscape

Instead of forcing the house into the slope through excavation and backfilling, the architects designed the ground floor across split levels, seamlessly following the natural terrain. This approach not only respects the site’s topography but also enhances the spatial dynamics of the interior.

Interior Concept – A Sculptural Barn Typology

Reinterpreting the barn’s function as a storage space, the architects envisioned the home’s bedrooms, bathrooms, and closets as “stored” volumes stacked within the larger structure. This stacking generates a sculptural interior composition, with negative spaces around the blocks forming open living areas interconnected both vertically and horizontally.

The result is a generous, continuous interior landscape, evoking a sense of expansiveness while maintaining the intimacy of enclosed private rooms.

Materiality and Atmosphere

The interior embraces a raw, unfinished aesthetic through the consistent use of exposed concrete floors and plastered walls, reinforcing the barn’s utilitarian character. The interplay of these materials creates a minimal yet expressive atmosphere, celebrating simplicity and craftsmanship.

Sustainable Integration

The project also reflects a commitment to sustainability. A freestanding two-car garage, constructed in exposed concrete with timber formwork matching the main house, integrates seamlessly into the composition. Above it, a photovoltaic system installed on the sloping roof generates renewable energy, with solar panels laid like a continuous carpet across the surface.

Contemporary Vernacular Architecture

More than just a home, the Residential Barn in Zürich creates a dialogue between past and present. By reinterpreting vernacular barn typology with modern construction methods and sustainable design strategies, the architects crafted a building that feels timeless, contextual, and innovative all at once.

All Photographs are works of Vito Stallone