Rustic Outside, Radical Inside: The Inverted Farm by Bard Yersin Architectes
This renovation utilizes strategic openings and expansive glazing to flood a formerly closed-off agricultural space with natural light.
Summary
- Bard Yersin Architectes transformed a 19th-century farmhouse by inverting its functions: the barn became the residence, while the former dwelling became a greenhouse
- Interior organization aligns with the original structure, featuring double-height living areas, brick service cores and fluid enfilades
Designed by Bard Yersin Architectes, The Inverted Farm is a striking residential transformation of a traditional agricultural estate in the Swiss countryside. The project revitalizes a historic farmhouse and its adjoining barn by reimagining the relationship between the built environment and the surrounding landscape. Instead of a conventional renovation, the architects utilized a surgical approach to preserve the rural character of the original masonry while introducing a sophisticated, contemporary living space that emphasizes openness and light.
The most distinctive feature of the design is its internal organization, which justifies its name. The architects hollowed out the center of the former barn to create a monumental triple-height atrium that serves as the heart of the home. This expansive central void is framed by a meticulous timber structure that pays homage to traditional barn framing but with a modern, minimalist execution. Large, strategically placed openings in the original stone walls are paired with expansive interior glazing, allowing light to penetrate deep into the plan and creating dramatic visual connections between the different levels of the house.
Sustainability and material honesty are central to the project’s identity. The renovation prioritizes the use of locally sourced materials, specifically focusing on the contrast between the raw texture of the existing stone and the warmth of new spruce and larch wood elements. By maintaining the external volume of the original farm, the project respects the local heritage and the scale of the neighboring village. The result is a residence that functions as a private sanctuary, offering a seamless blend of historical weight and airy, modern volumetry that redefines the typology of the rural Swiss home.
