Multifunctional Barn / Onix

Architects: Onix
Location: Groningen, The Netherlands
Architect In Charge: Allart Vogelzang
Design Team: Robert Bos, Annemieke Meems, Rene Harmanni
Photographs: Peter van der Knoop, Courtesy of Onix

From the architect. This multifunctional barn ̶ designed as a separate annexe ̶ is situated on an old farmyard. In the course of time the yard as well as the farmhouse it belongs to, have been swallowed up by the growing city of Groningen. The multifunctional barn borders the yard’s rear side, thus providing the yard with more shelter. Its slightly angulated facade corresponds to the movement in the yard. It also forms the yard’s second focal point, opposing the entrance of the existing farmhouse.

The barn harbours a workshop, a storage and parking area, a rabbit hutch and a terrace. These different spaces in the barn are encapsulated and connected by a folded sink shell. This roof shell opens towards the farmhouse’s main entrance and also on the side of the building facing the yard’s green area. The barn’s more hermetical northern side provides a shield against the street which runs behind ̶ and parallel to ̶ the barn.