The Daillens changing room building

Straw in the head

Localarchitecture

Although it is actually a straightforward construction task, it was very important to the small Swiss municipality of Daillens to realize the new changing room building with the smallest possible ecological footprint and using local resources.

The planners had straw on their minds right from the start. The result is changing rooms, showers, bar, kitchen and rooms for the local boules club on an area of less than 400 m² and with state-of-the-art equipment.

Insulated with straw.

Straw bales

The new changing room building in Daillens in the canton of Vaud (1,000 inhabitants), 13 km from Lausanne, was opened in September 2024 and replaces a 1970s changing room for FC Venoge footballers that was in serious need of renovation.

The 1,200 straw bales used as thermal insulation are the measure of all things. The load-bearing timber construction of 37 prefabricated, curved glulam frames is also based on their dimensions. The light-colored larch wood from the region forms the outer frame, while integrated, green glazed slats structure and ventilate the façade areas and blend them aesthetically into the agricultural context

The plans were drawn up by Localarchitecture from Lausanne.

Circulatory thinking

The design sets a clear example of resource conservation and circular thinking: materials such as wood and straw come from the region, the foundations are limited to the minimal use of concrete and the photovoltaic system on the roof generates almost all the electricity needed here.

Existing elements such as a shoe washing basin and a shelter were taken over. The shoe washing facility is now in a different location and the shelters no longer protect the players, but the heat pump.

In addition, the building was designed in such a way that it can be dismantled and recycled in a largely non-destructive manner.

Meeting point

The elongated building of the Daillens changing room building is oriented along the pitch and ends in an elegant, paper-thin metal roof construction, the ridge of which reflects the silhouette of the Jura mountains.

The compact pavilion was positioned slightly elevated and forms gentle grandstand areas with seating along the outer façade – an inviting meeting point for players and spectators alike.

The spacious passageways are also adapted to the modular dimensions of the straw.

The Daillens changing room building is more than just a functional building: it is a vibrant example of sustainable architecture: locally anchored, resource-saving, recyclable and architecturally sensitive.

Project data

Designer

LOCALARCHITECTURE
Côtes-de-Montbenon 6
CH-1003 Lausanne

Laurent Saurer, Antoine Robert-Grandpierre, Andrew Hugonnet

Building owner

Commune de Daillens

Opening

2024

Address

Chemin de l’Arbalète
1306 Daillens
Switzerland

Photos

Matthieu Gafsou / LOCALARCHITECTURE

Text

Johannes Bühlbecker
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Drawings

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