Link architectes sa

Stable Conversion

Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson

STABLE CONVERSION

Link Architectes

PROJECT
Gerbex Steve

DIRECTION
Link Stéphane

MANUFACTURERS
GRAPHISOFT, Ceramica Vogue, Ifö Electric AB, DELTA Engineering GmbH, Geberit Vertriebs AG, Getaz, Pittsburgh Corning Schweiz AG, Saint-Gobain Isover SA, Schoellkopf Konfektions AG

REALIZATION
Gribi Yann

PHOTOGRAPHS
Julie Masson

AREA
90 m²

YEAR
2021

LOCATION
Montreux, Switzerland

CATEGORY
Houses

Text description provided by architect.

Forming part of a dense, adjoining set of typical local buildings, the project lies at the heart of the village of Chernex in the upper part of the municipality of Montreux, above the shores of Lake Geneva.

The goal was to transform the stable adjoining the old post house dating from the eighteenth century; originally, it housed horses for the postal service.

Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson
Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson

Set back from the main body of the building and the street, the ground floor of the stable was occupied solely by the professional kitchen serving the former inn.

The rest of the space was bare and unused. The entire space has been cleared to make way for individual housing.

The size of the structure is determined and defined by the juxtaposition of neighboring buildings. Only the south and east-facing facades are accessible, and it’s on those facades that most external work has been done.

Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson
Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson
Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson

Facing the Dents du Midi and the mouth of the Rhône, the southern facade had undergone several alterations over the years.

It consisted of a wide variety of materials and openings as required by the interior layout.

This facade has been entirely demolished. The stones used to build it were carefully preserved in order to be re-used subsequently.

Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson
Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson

The new wall combines stonework and concrete in a fresh interpretation of the existing structure. The windows have been arranged in a new layout that makes the most of the view whilst ensuring the inside of the property is not overlooked by neighboring buildings.

Located at the back of a small courtyard, the facade on the eastern side retains its priory function as a point of access.

Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson
Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson

A structural concrete arch has been built at the former location of the carriage entrance to the stable to accommodate the main door of the housing.

The existing walls have been underpinned to allow a basement level to be built beneath two-thirds of the property, with direct access to the existing underground garage; the level also accommodates technical premises. The ground floor is partly below ground on the northern side.

Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson
Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson

Built as a single unit to prevent any issues with dampness, it houses the kitchen and dining room. As a counterpoint to this, the top two floors have been built entirely out of wood.

The new spaces include living and sleeping areas. Movement between the various spaces is designed to be seamless and obstacle-free. A staircase serves the three floors of living quarters with a series of half-levels.

Stable Conversion
© Julie Masson


Stable Conversion
Elevation - East
Stable Conversion
Elevation - South


Stable Conversion
Section - A
Stable Conversion
Section - B


Stable Conversion
Plan - Site
Stable Conversion
Plan - Basement
Stable Conversion
Plan - Ground Floor
Stable Conversion
Plan - First Floor
Stable Conversion
Plan - Attic


Stable Conversion
Details
Stable Conversion
Details

Link architectes sa
T +41 21 9446688 F +41 21 9446677
Link architectes sa
Avenue des Mousquetaires 10, 1814 La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland