The restoration of the 1928 warehouse of the "Papieri Areal", a former paper mill in the picturesque town of Cham, Switzerland, was about two things: improving the thermal insulation and preserving the historic appearance. Xella met these requirements according to the specifications of Barmettler Architects.
Sophisticated and historic renovation with Ytong
In the interior of the building, the team of architects found a particularly simple but effective solution to both improve the thermal insulation and to preserve the historic appearance: A non-load-bearing of 25 cm thick Ytong autoclaved aerated concrete blocks, set two centimeters forward, now acts as an additional layer of insulation. This reduces energy consumption and comfort, while preserving the characteristic exposed brickwork. New materials, including cement-bonded particleboard and three-ply spruce panels, have also been precisely joined.
The interior originally featured a second, open level as a wooden structure. A centrally located technical room, restrooms and stairs to the galleries allow the new tenants to use two functionally separate areas of the historic building year-round. Originally used as a transfer point between the railroad siding and the factory floor, the warehouse now shines in new splendor and serves as a multi-functional space for two associations. The exterior of the building has been preserved it with the utmost respect.
This project is just one of many at the Papieri site in Cham, where an entirely new neighborhood is being built with approximately 1,000 homes and workplaces, while preserving the historic character of the factory. In addition to the warehouse, Xella is fitting Multipor to several other factory buildings that are being renovated and converted into residential and commercial premises.
Copyright for all pictures in this post: Regine Giesecke