Renovation Chesa Rhaemi Pontresina
Due to guidelines regarding the preservation of historic monuments, the farmers’ building had to remain unchanged in its volume. Solely the entrance to the “Suler”, the Engadin name for the common room in the basement, was gifted a new entrance door.
The inner structure of the building was in very bad condition, it was completely demolished. Only the 60 cm raw stone outer walls were preserved. The owner’s demand for a modern room configuration was solved by a single fair faced concrete construction with walls and slabs, generating sleeping and bathrooms, living and kitchen zones. The new stair is constructed of raw welded steel plates connecting the three floors. The fireplace is the heart of every apartment in the house.
The façade was renovated using a 12 cm thick isolating plaster. Typical to Engadin kind of building, the embrasures are beveled in order to optimize the use of sunlight. Reflecting traditional local architecture the balconies and window shades have a newly interpreted pattern.
All wooden surfaces are made of larch. The floors were renovated using the acient timber pilings, which were refreshed in extensive hand work. A kitchen block and a bench made of concrete make a tense contrast to the ancient house.
