A 150-year-old farm complicated in Switzerland has been converted into an assortment of office and apartment blocks by Zürich studio EM2N .
EM2N won a competition to develop the 7,000-square-metre Hammer Farm estate in Cham, a municipality bordering Lake Zug in Switzerland.
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The historic complex had been adapted and extended numerous times since its opening in 1854, resulting in a jumble of farmhouse and out-buildings of different ages. EM2N overhauled the complete internet site, creating the new mixed-use complex.
Existing two- and three-storey buildings were converted into reside-operate spaces. The architects re-skinned and extended the barns, remodelled the interior of existing farmhouses, and also added a number of concrete and timber-clad blocks to provide further accommodation.
“Over the course of the years an interesting catalogue of differentiated floor strategy and building typologies with distinct grains has developed,” said the architects. “Our proposal sees the present conversion as a additional all-natural improvement stage.”
The structures are all clustered about a paved courtyard, interspersed with patches of gravel and grass. Sloping pathways lead to the numerous entrances.
A conventional farmhouse with a hooded tiled roof and strips of wood laid into its plaster facades has been sectioned into flats, whilst a converted barn was covered in lengths of dark timber reminiscent of the open wooden cladding frequently utilized on cow sheds, identified as byres.
On the upper floor of the building, the timber framework that supports the hooded roof was left exposed and a concrete box was inserted to subdivide the space. Glass balustrades enclose a living area on top of the new level.
“The aim is to accomplish an atmospherically dense ensemble in which the old and the new buildings can coexist on an equal footing,” added the group. “A lively mix of spaces for operating and living will stay the trademark of this former farm estate.”
A new concrete housing block characteristics a pitched roof that keeps the creating in tune with its neighbours. Inside, a staircase with angular white balustrades and dark timber treads connects the 4 storeys.
A Y-shaped stainless-steel rainwater down pipe was added to the new concrete creating to match the cool-toned grey walls, whilst copper drain pipes tone with the wooden cladding of yet another creating.
“The current spatial and typological guidelines form the basis for the new-construct development,” mentioned the group. “The old buildings are converted by signifies of cautiously restrained interventions.”
Photography is by Roger Frei.
Project credits:
Partners: Mathias Müller, Daniel Niggli
Project leaders: Noémi Necker, Gerry Schwyter (associate), Michael Zürcher
Project group: Gisele Antunes Gloor, Fabienne Heinrich, Fabian Hörmann (associate), Marc Holle (associate), Sidsel Kromann, Bernard Radi, Philipp Reichelt, Maude Richner, Nina Störck
Client: Hammer Retex AG
Web site plan – 
Ground floor strategy – 
1st floor plan – 
Second floor strategy – 
Sections one particular to three – 
Sections 4 to six –
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