An existing agricultural structure has been given new life as a seasonal retreat within a family homestead. Dubbed The Box in the Barn by Facha architekti, the project introduces a clearly legible timber volume that remains structurally independent from the historic barn, creating a tension between old and new. Slightly elevated above the original barn floor, the inserted volume remains clearly distinct from the existing structure, while the barn itself acts as a climatic buffer around the dwelling. By adapting rather than rebuilding, the project stands as an example of how contemporary living can inhabit rural heritage through minimal intervention and a clear architectural gesture.
From the Architects | “The Box in the Barn” is a small contemporary living unit freely inserted into an old barn. The brief was initially open-ended — the first ideas considered the renovation of the residential part of the farmstead, but over time the design evolved into a new independent dwelling placed inside the barn.
A fundamental principle of the design was respect for the existing structure and preservation of its authentic character. The new object therefore works as a clearly legible contemporary insertion that remains structurally independent from the original barn. We designed a simple timber volume wrapped in a black asphalt façade, whose form derives from the geometry of the barn while simultaneously creating a tension between the old and the new.
An important motif became the visual axis running through the threshing floor of the open barn towards the garden with old apple trees and further into the landscape. This axis is reflected in both the layout and the position of the large panoramic window and dining table.
The inserted structure is slightly elevated above the original barn floor, which continues freely underneath it. In front of the object, a concrete surface extending seamlessly from the courtyard creates a transition between the exterior, the open barn space, and the interior itself.
The interior is designed in a restrained manner, with minimal formal gestures and an emphasis on natural materiality. Birch plywood predominates, complemented by black-dyed MDF boards used for the built-in block containing the kitchen, bathroom, and storage spaces.
Structurally, the project is a lightweight timber frame construction made of KVH beams with a vapour-open assembly. Although primarily intended for seasonal use, the insulation and underfloor heating also allow for year-round habitation. The barn itself additionally functions as a natural climatic buffer, protecting the inserted volume from overheating and adverse weather conditions.
The project represents an adaptation of an existing structure rather than a new building, which we consider an essential aspect of its sustainability.
Photography by Peter Fabo.
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