emixi . Baltique

Barn renovation . Le Biot

emixi architectes . Baltique . photos: © Daniele Rocco

The project consists of the renovation of an old sheep barn in the commune of Le Biot in Haute-Savoie. The building had already undergone a number of transformations over the years. What was once a sheep barn, then a holiday camp, has now become accommodation for a young couple moving to the region. Typical of Savoyard farm buildings, the building is composed of a masonry base set into the slope, and a timber-framed upper section.

The aim of the project is to clean up the interior of the barn, keeping only the structure and enhancing it, while preserving as much as possible of the exterior envelope. The space is structured around two key elements of the project: a very large window opening onto the landscape, facing the mountains, and a sanitary block linking the interior spaces.

Environmental approach
The owners, who wanted their renovation to be part of a responsible approach, gave support to develop a coherent approach that respected both the existing building and the environment.
The project is part of a process that highlights local resources and know-how. Most of the work has been entrusted to a local company, which has enabled us to promote short supply chains and guarantee the quality of the materials used, from the wood insulation wool to the natural plaster, avoiding as far as possible any mass-market materials.
To make the most of local wood production, a boiler stove is at the heart of the house’s technical operation. It supplies the house with heating and hot water.

Technical approach
The project is based on a low-tech approach, a natural choice in keeping with the typology and history of the building. Heating and hot water are provided by a boiler stove, a central element of the design, linked to the kitchen and at the heart of the living space. It supplies the hydraulic radiators in the bedrooms and the floor radiators in the living area. It is positioned so as to benefit from its direct radiation and minimise energy losses. Thermal solar panels are planned as a complement during the warmer months (but have not yet been installed). The large bay window provides additional solar heat gain in winter.
The technical and sanitary elements that correspond to the standard of contemporary housing are all grouped together in the core at the heart of the project, minimizing the impact on the structure of the building.
The insulation is wood fibre wool, laid from the inside to avoid dismantling the existing façade and to preserve the existing external appearance.
The design elements, including the kitchen, furniture and windows, are tailor-made by local joiners and carpenters, minimizing waste and unnecessary transport.
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Le Biot, 2023
Barn renovation, Le Biot, Haute-Savoie, France

emixi architectes + Baltique