We worked on a rare project due to its unconventional dimensions for a farmhouse in an agricultural zone. Indeed, its scale bears no resemblance to those large farms with their impressive volumes and barns that now seem out of proportion.  Its size led us to describe it as a “small farmhouse” or a modest country home.

But make no mistake: its small size in no way diminishes the challenges associated with such a building—quite the opposite. Its compact size, combined with the multiple half-levels, hallways, and staircases, gave us quite a challenge in creating cohesive and harmonious spaces within a pleasant and functional home.

We therefore retained the five half-levels dictated by the existing structure. The period-style entryway, which leads to the sleeping areas upstairs and the living spaces below, extends into a small staircase that opens onto a hallway leading to the living area. This small hall, finished with woodwork, conceals a guest bathroom with a shower on one side and features a walk-in closet integrated into a continuous cabinet, connecting the spaces and extending into the kitchen. This kitchen, the centerpiece of the ground floor, which we designed to be open, spacious, and inviting, provides direct access to the dining room as well as to the terrace and garden.

The staircase leading upstairs is located in an atrium created by removing the old drop ceilings that had made the space feel cramped. As a result, we now have a generous ceiling height in the upstairs hallway, which leads to two bedrooms and a small bathroom. Behind the last door, we find another small staircase, framed by woodwork, leading to a final room in the attic, under the sloping roof, giving it a more private, intimate atmosphere.

From a technical standpoint, we carried out a comprehensive energy retrofit, ensuring that the new heated spaces meet standards comparable to new construction and optimizing the efficiency of the existing heated areas. An air-to-water heat pump was installed to complement the two arrays of solar panels, mounted on both sides of the roof to ensure efficient use of sunlight and thus breathe new life into this home, which was in great need of it.

Services : Project Study / Design / Lighting Design / Plans and 3D Renderings / Official Documents / Construction Management

Area : 160m2

Date : 2023

Intervenants :

• Civil Engineer : Martins Ingénieurs Conseils, Puidoux
• Asbestos Removal : Perrin-Frères SA, Gland
• Scaffolding : Planète Echafaudage Arpaç, Payerne
• Bricklaying, Facades : E.Corpataux & Fils, Ursy
• Carpentry : Rouge et Wuillemin SA, Palézieux
• Roofing and Sheet Metal Work : GECA Sàrl, Les Tavernes
• Waterproofing : Isoltech Morel Sàrl, Châtel-St-Denis
• Windows and doors, carpentry : Matias Entreprise Sàrl, Moudon
• French doors : GB Multiservices Sàrl, Penthalaz
• Garage door : Margot Technics JM Sàrl, Yvonand
• Electrical / IT / T+T : Stucki Frères, Mézières
• Solar panels : Solenergy Sàrl, Mézières
• Plumbing and heating : Alpha Contrôle SA, Ursy
• Kitchens : Tek Cuisines SA, Crissier
• Locksmithing : Joker Metal SA, Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne
• Screed : Laik SA, Puidoux
• Plastering, painting, tiling, hardwood floors, polished concrete : Gilabert Rénovation, Villars-Sainte-Croix
• Glazing : Savoy verre sàrl, Forel
• Fireplace, stove : Cheminées Fortunato, Bussigny-près-Lausanne
• Cleaning : Netclean Services Sàrl, Froideville
• Exteriors : MLS Sàrl, Lausanne