Careful restoration of a historic wooden granary from the 16th century
Livit Construction Management supporting a monument conservation project in the canton of Solothurn
December 2025
| Year of construction | ca. 1570 |
| Client | institutional |
| Architect | Livit AG |
| Location | Biberist |
| Construction period | 2024 |
- Construction management and project leadership
Livit Construction Management has been supporting the restoration of a historic 16th-century granary on behalf of the property owner. The two-storey storage building with an additional attic is a listed building under cantonal monument protection and was originally used as an agricultural building with storage areas. The granary is classified as a protected building in the building zone plan for Biberist and is to be preserved – together with the farm barn, the stöckli and the manor house – as a significant historic wooden structure.
The restoration was carried out in accordance with Swiss monument preservation guidelines and was closely monitored by the Solothurn cantonal monument preservation department. The aim was to carry out the restoration in a way that is respectful of the original structure. Due to the monument preservation requirements, there were no fixed deadlines, which allowed for particularly careful planning and execution.
Challenges and measures in the construction process
Earlier structural interventions, including the installation of clay tile floors with mortar joints and a double layer of tiles, had severely damaged the building structure. The resulting deformation of the exterior walls necessitated extensive structural interventions.
To restore the building’s structural integrity and permanently stabilise the original construction, the granary was completely dismantled and then rebuilt in its original form. This measure made it possible to specifically repair damaged components and restore the historical construction with modern precision.
In the process, the clay tile floors were removed, the roof was re-tiled with a simpler design, and the foundations and load-bearing wooden elements were repaired. These interventions enabled the stabilisation of the original construction and the preservation of the historical substance.
A special detail: during the roof re-tiling, an ‘end-of-day tile’ was discovered – a craft relic that charmingly complements the building’s history. The last tile of the working day was traditionally marked with special ornamentation and a year number to signify the end of the day’s work. In addition to protective and lucky symbols, short stories and sayings were also inscribed on it. The ‘end-of-day tile’ was reused, like all the well-preserved components, and is now a small but impressive testament to past building culture.
The restoration of the granary demonstrates how Livit Construction Management excels in complex tasks related to the preservation of historical buildings, with expertise, care, and a high standard of quality. The project exemplifies the responsible handling of historical building structures – and the successful combination of tradition and precision in construction.
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