Savioz Fabrizzi Architectes Sàrl

Reynard/Rossi-Udry House

Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher

REYNARD/ROSSI-UDRY HOUSE

Savioz Fabrizzi Architectes

CIVIL ENGINEERING
Alpatec SA, Martigny

COLLABORATOR
Lionel Ballmer

PHOTOGRAPHS
Thomas Jantscher

AREA
210 m²

YEAR
2016

LOCATION
Sion, Switzerland

CATEGORY
Houses, Restoration

Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher
Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher

Text description provided by architect.

Situated in the old village of ormône, this house was built in 1860, and then altered over the years.

Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher
Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher

It stands in the middle of an area of the village that has tremendous character, and consists of a masonry base of natural stone whose upstream part rises up to form the backbone of the building and whose downstream part is surmounted by a timber structure.

The timber part is simply raised. The masonry part is altered. This stone spine, which links the whole project together, is extruded in a kind of "chimney" to the east and extends to the north to form an annexe.

Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher
Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher

The rustic simplicity of this building is accentuated by the treatment of the outer walls, which are given unity by a coating of simple render, applied both to stones from which render had been removed so they could be re-pointed in a style similar to traditional "pietra rasa" plasterwork, and also to the new parts constructed in concrete.

The large areas of glazing flush with the exterior further accentuate its mineral appearance, emphasising its carefully-smoothed lines, while orienting the spaces towards chosen views: the rhône valley to the east, savièse to the north, the mountains of val d’hérens to the south and the garden to the west.

In the northern part, the spaces are structured by two partial floor slabs, which open onto circulation and living spaces and allow visual relationships between the occupants of the different levels, the children on the first floor and their parents in the eaves.

Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher
Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher
Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher

The character of the house's exterior is echoed in its interior by the use of a mineral coating on the walls, and by the use of exposed concrete slabs for the floor.

In the southern part, set behind timber walls, the bedrooms are covered with larch panelling, producing a contrast with the rest of the project.

Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher
Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher

This timeless contrast between mineral and the wooden elements, established when the house was first built, is thus retained and reappropriated, providing consistency with the original structure.


Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher
Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
© Thomas Jantscher


Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
First subterranean floor plan
Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
Ground Floor Plan
Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
First Floor Plan
Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
Second Floor Plan


Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
A-A' Transversal Section
Reynard/Rossi-Udry House
B-B' Longitudinal Section

Savioz Fabrizzi Architectes Sàrl
T +41 27 326881 F +41 27 3226883
Savioz Fabrizzi Architectes Sàrl
Rte des Ronquos 35, 1950 Sion, Switzerland