Architect Ulf Mejergren renovated an abandoned farmhouse by giving it a façade made of hay.

200 years ago, 90 per cent of the Swedish population lived in the countryside. Today, 90 per cent lives in cities. Therefore, thousands of houses in the countryside have been abandoned and left to fall to ruins.

Called Hay House, the renovated farmhouse is part of Mejergren’s project Farm Art. On the farm where he makes the art, a small abandoned house was standing where a family of twelve used to live. The roof had collapsed, and stray cats lived there in winter.

Since the existing door was stuck and its interior is intersected by dangling rafters that could fall at any time, the team decided to turn the existing window in the gable into an opening so one could have access to the small part of the house that still could function as some kind of shelter.

To celebrate the new potential life in the house, they made a new façade that also offers better insulation for both mice and men. A wooden frame was placed directly on the cabin, which was filled with ryegrass hay, sourced from a nearby field, which is kept in place by a metal net. Against the façade, a pile of hay was placed, which can be used as an outdoor sofa.

For another project by Ulf Mejergren, click here.

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