When tasked with refurbishing a cluster of houses dating back from the 19th century, Swiss architect Dieter Dietz was asked by his clients for a design that "fostered the coexistence of shared and individual living spaces to provide an opportunity to live independently within a community of friends and their families." In response, Dietz proposed the refurbishment of a former press house (Pressoir) along with the design for a new house (Grange).

New construction to the rural site—a vineyard in Chigny, Switzerland—takes its characteristics from the barn-type. Its exoskeleton, built entirely of nano-film coated solar-cells that provide energy for both houses, is a reverberation of its 19th century neighbor's exposed roof truss. With an exterior of exposed steel, the typical structural order is reversed and the home, completed by a secondary structure made of timber.

On the other side, the 19th century press-house is fully refurbished, keeping its original structure, walls, and carpentry—now with visible signs of aging that tell its story—intact. To make the two homes feel unified, their construction principles rely on a basic palette of materials; new openings follow the proportions of existing ones, but the employment of white walls and timber create a cohesion between the two. 

Both homes are well suited as work-and-living spaces that provide a great deal of flexibility to its inhabitants. Layouts are centered around large rooms that can serve as a social hub  and bring the two homes together as one common place. Public and private spheres are sparsely delineated through interstitial thresholds of voids, doors, curtains and sliding panels, leaving the rest up to the inhabitants.

"These houses offer a frame for living. Like a canvas drawn into space that awaits life to complete itself. Users will further define visual and spatial articulation” said Dietz.