«La Ferme aux Escaliers», or The Staircase Farm, is a traditional stone building located in Burgundy, France. The North facade of the building is listed as an Historical Monument and constitutes an important landmark in Aiserey.

The existing stone façade was restored and a whole new independent structure was introduced within. This new structure, made of concrete, is completely separated from the existing stone facades. This partition allowed for a respectful renovation of the existing shell.

Early in the process it was recognized that the intended program was too large compared to the existing building. Consequently, EMMANUELLE ANDREANI ARCHITECTES proposed to raise the roof and create a new basement. The new roof constructed is a solarium glass roof. Here, light enters and floods the central atrium with vast amounts of natural light. In doing so, it highlights the atrium which is considered the heart of the building and which the whole project is centered around.

In this magical place of the atrium, the new wooden framework of the roof emerges. In addition, spaces offering different activities are also seen suspended within this central void, as if they were floating. These areas consist of 6 development and activity rooms of about 500m2 and a school restaurant of about 300m2.

Concrete walkways are crossing through the atrium, connecting the different spaces. The glass railing of the walkway and the large glass windows located in each activity room allows for a clear visual connection between the central atrium and the different activities spread across the different levels. As a result, a scenographic dialog between the spaces arises.

Connecting the levels vertically is the concrete staircase that rises to the first floor. This central spiral staircase is made of concrete. It became a big technical feat during the construction process, as it was poured all at once.

The project holds a BBC-Effinenergie Renovation label.

To see more about the process behind the project, see the video published by the construction company ROUGEOT at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF-7eI2N_9g