A small alpine cabin from an old granary | Savioz Fabrizzi Architectes

Situated at the junction of two valleys in the Pennine Alps of southern Switzerland, Le Biolley is a tiny hamlet with just 20 full-time residents and only 22 buildings. Traditionally a farming community, most of the agricultural buildings have been converted into dwellings and vacation homes. This building, once a granary, was transformed into a family’s comfortable vacation cabin by Savioz Fabrizzi Architectes.

The cabin has roughly 48 m² (500 ft²) of floor space distributed over three levels, plus a utility room beneath the terrace. The main entrance leads from the terrace into the main living space on the middle level. The master bedroom is up a flight of very steep stairs. Down a steep flight is the bathroom and a bunkroom for the children. Both flights of stairs are so steep, you’d probably have to go down backwards.

Aside from adding new windows and replacing the rotted wood on the balconies, the architects made little change to the structure’s outer appearance. Contrasting with the aged exterior, they created a very contemporary interior by the uniform use of larch for the walls, ceilings, stairs, doors and furnishings. Trimless detailing makes for a very clean look. A large window inserted into the stone wall extends the full width of the mid-level living space, giving an unimpeded view of the valley and the peaks opposite.

Click a thumbnail to view a larger photo, then click on the photo to advance to the next one.

Photographs by Thomas Jantscher, courtesy of Savioz Fabrizzi Architectes, except where noted. Via ArchDaily.

Text copyright 2014 SmallHouseBliss. All Rights Reserved.