Who is responsible for maintaining the quality of the place?

The Löwen farmhouse is located in the small village of Meistersrüte north-east of Appenzell. The farm and pastures have been passed down within the family for generations and adapted to meet the needs of each new owner. The wooden building rests at the foot of a hill that is also dotted with other farmsteads. This landscape of dispersed settlement is typical for the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. It represents the link to tradition and regional Baukultur like almost no other Swiss landscape. To make sure this remains so, the cantonal authorities have drawn up a building law that sets high quality standards for construction outside the building development zone.

Does the place serve its purpose?

Bâtie à l’origine pour servir de maison paysanne et d’établissement public, la ferme Löwen ne sert aujourd’hui plus que d’exploitation agricole. La route principale passait autrefois directement devant le bâtiment, ce qui explique qu’il ait pu être utilisé comme établissement public. Aujourd’hui, la route passe un peu plus au sud. Le bâtiment a conservé sa forme typique, qui combine maison d’habitation et étable attenante, et ses couleurs particulières.

Is the place maintained and sustainably developed?

To prevent the traditional dispersed settlement from becoming a sprawling landscape, the Canton’s spatial planning pursues two strategies: first, to strengthen the internal development of the main settlements, which necessitates providing new building land, and second, to preserve the liveability of the existing farmhouses. After all, fewer and fewer people now work in agriculture. Nevertheless, the farmhouses should remain inhabited, so that the identity and authenticity of this traditional landscape are preserved.

Are the construction materials and methods durable, require little maintenance, and maintain or even enhance the place’s value?

The house, presumably built in 1823, still consists mainly of original components. Inside, the walls, floors and doors, including door locks and fittings, are authentic relics of that time. The wooden buffet in the parlour and the reused tiles from an older stove are also still extant. The south-facing main façade has also retained its original design and striking colouration. Major changes have been made to the means of access, the windows and the rear façade. The Löwen farmhouse is evidence of longevity and frugality.

Does the place ensure equality, freedom, safety and a reliable means of existence?

A typical Innerrhoden farmhouse is built by a family in a place where they can secure their livelihood. The presence of water is a decisive factor, south-facing slopes are preferred because of the exposure to sunlight, and timber from the family’s own woodlands is used as a building material. The farmhouse stands alone in the landscape, and the meadowland extends to the wall of the house. Today, many farmhouses are inhabited by non-farmers. This has led to an increase in commuter traffic and a gradual change in the landscape.

Is the place in dialogue with the landscape, urban fabric, colours and materials?

Striking traditional features of the Löwen farmhouse are its colour palette and its combination of dwelling house and attached stable. The colouration is particularly characteristic of the farmhouses of Innerrhoden. The agricultural wing is painted in much bolder colours than the residential part. The colour scheme is always the same: yellow-beige walls, red doors and green window shutters – similar to the colours of the traditional costume worn by Appenzeller herders. By contrast, the façade cladding of the dwelling house is painted in a light tone – in this case in an off-white colour.

Does the quality of space improve people’s quality of life?

To prevent the traditional, agriculturally dominated dispersed settlement from becoming a sprawling landscape, the Canton is guiding this transformation process with a modern building code. This law attaches great importance to the preservation of the identity and authenticity of the traditional dispersed settlement. The provisions were developed by the cantonal councillors, the districts and the general public in a participatory manner.

Does the design of the place take the surroundings into account?

In 2015, the Stiftung Landschaftsschutz Schweiz (Swiss Foundation for Landscape Conservation) honoured the Innerrhoden dispersed settlement as Landscape of the Year. It emphasised the surviving rural Baukultur, which is still well preserved today. The canton has had building regulations in place since 2012 that are exemplary throughout Switzerland. Existing buildings are primarily to be preserved, but in the event of demolition with reconstruction, a good overall effect is to be achieved.