A historic structure reimagined

Gässli5 in Grabs explores circular construction through the relocation and reconstruction of a 17th-century timber house. Carefully dismantled and rebuilt within the village, the original building now stands beside a new rammed-earth extension. This combination of old and new structures creates an architecture that is fully recyclable and locally sourced, returning its materials to the landscape at the end of its life cycle.

Preserving local heritage through reuse

Once one of the oldest and most authentic houses in the Werdenberg region, the Gässlihaus faced demolition after being removed from the heritage register. Its survival depended on relocation, and missing components were recovered from other dismantled local buildings. The simplicity of the timber structure was maintained deliberately, without insulation or modern installations, ensuring the house’s material authenticity and its role as a continuation of local building culture.

A dialogue between two materials

The new volume complements the timber house while introducing a different rhythm. Oriented slightly toward the garden, it forms a small courtyard between the two structures. Built from rammed earth, the extension showcases the visible layering of its 200 elements, while hemp-lime insulation and recycled lime plaster provide a healthy indoor climate. The use of local oak, clay tiles, and untreated materials reflects a radical approach to sustainable and honest construction.

Architecture rooted in circular living

The ensemble is integrated into a permaculture garden that processes water and organic waste onsite. Together, the two buildings form a statement on sufficiency and reuse—an alternative to demolition and overconsumption in contemporary building culture. Gässli5 radically and innovatively demonstrates that sustainability can be both material and social, reconnecting buildings with local resources and community-driven values.

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