Cherry Storehouse Nuglar by Buchner Bründler Architects & Lilitt Bollinger Studio

The transformation of the Cherry Storehouse Nuglar by Buchner Bründler Architects and Lillit Bollinger Studio stands as a testament to the profound dialogue between minimalist and brutalist aesthetics.

Nestled in the serene landscapes of Nuglar, Switzerland, this architectural marvel reimagines a historic 1968 liquor distillery storehouse into a residence and creative studio space, harmoniously blending its industrial legacy with contemporary design philosophies.

Originally a repository for cherries and a part of the local distillery operations, the structure's utilitarian past is honored yet reinvented. The building, once divided into two distinct sections by a formidable load-bearing wall and connected solely by a goods lift, has undergone a radical spatial reconfiguration. The discovery of a delicate wooden ceiling in one half and the robust steel girders supporting a concrete ceiling in the other half provided the architects with a contrasting material palette to play with, enabling a narrative that speaks to both the past and present.

The architectural intervention retains the essence of the original structure while introducing a seamless blend of residential and professional spaces. The garage and delivery area remain as a workshop, maintaining a functional connection to the building's industrial roots. Above this, a new, modestly scaled construction adds a fresh layer to the historical fabric. The long, narrow living space, incorporating the kitchen and living areas, dissolves the previous division, opening up the building to the valley's expansive views. This is achieved by lowering the existing high windows to bench height, framed by long steel casings that extend the visual and physical connection to the exterior.

Internally, the spatial reorganization is both bold and sensitive. By removing walls or punctuating them with openings, a dynamic and fluid interior landscape emerges, particularly when these openings are fully engaged during the warmer months. The former shop's hall has been repurposed to house multifunctional furniture units, creating intimate niches and delineating spaces for living and working. The architecture studio, adorned with new green window fittings, features an inviting seating bench, further emphasizing the integration of inside and outside environments.

Concrete and wood, the primary materials of the original structure, are celebrated in their raw, unadorned states. The conversion meticulously showcases the layering and jointing of these materials, with surfaces left intentionally rough and tactile. This approach respects the building's history, allowing signs of wear to narrate the passage of time. The collaboration with an on-site carpenter for all wooden installations and doors highlights the juxtaposition of finely crafted details against the raw, unrefined textures of concrete and aged wood.

Cherry Storehouse Nuglar is more than a renovated building; it is a dialogue between eras, a fusion of industrial heritage and minimalist contemporary living. The meticulous yet restrained approach by Buchner Bründler Architects and Lillit Bollinger Studio ensures that the essence of the original structure is not only preserved but also elevated.

Photography: Rory Gardiner
Text: @zaxarov

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