pravato-savioz house, fully, conversion

client :

mr. et mrs. pravato-savioz

program :

living room, kitchen, bedrooms, mezzanine

dates :

execution 2001

sia 116 volume :

397 m3

architect :

laurent savioz

civil engineer :

alpatec sa, martigny

situated in a small hamlet surrounded by vineyards, these two adjacent structures were formerly part of a wine-growing estate. they were used as places for storage, eating and drinking, and resting, and were very modestly constructed, forming haphazardly slanted geometric shapes. the owners decided to make these two buildings into one, for use as their second home. the external dimensions have not been altered, but new openings have been created. the shapes and positioning of these openings define the internal spaces precisely. the windows are fitted flush with the exterior, in order to emphasise the tremendous thickness of the walls and make use of it. this method of fitting makes the façade smoother and adds to the appearance of the building. the entrance is on the east side of the building, and gives access firstly to the kitchen-dining area. from there, an opening leads to the staircase that runs from the lower level, where the living room is situated, to the upper level, where there is a bedroom, wc-shower room, and a mezzanine reached via a ladder.