Glarus project seeks new uses for 800 empty barns

A project in the canton of Glarus aims to bring new uses to some of the region’s 800 unused barns, after receiving 90 proposals. SRF reported that the initiative focuses on preserving the historic buildings and the landscapes they form.

Known locally as “Gaden”, the simple wooden structures were once used to shelter livestock or store hay. Around 2,300 remain in Glarus, and roughly one third are empty. The project is led by Glarus architect Reto Fuchs, with the federal government, the canton and local municipalities involved.

The team selected one group of barns in each of the canton’s three municipalities and invited ideas for alternative uses. Suggestions range from gentle tourism, food and drink, yoga, art and culture to nature-focused activities. Proposals include overnight stays in a barn, observing nature, selling regional products and providing shelter for bats.

Any plans must account for the barns’ location in agricultural zones and rules covering wildlife, water protection, natural hazards, spatial planning and heritage conservation. Permanent overnight accommodation is currently ruled out, Fuchs said.

The team will assess the proposals in the coming weeks, with some ideas potentially tested as temporary pop-up projects. Fuchs said temporary use could make legal exceptions more feasible. The project is expected to cost 300,000 francs, half of which will be covered by the federal government. A future workshop is planned to connect owners with people who have ideas, with the long-term preservation of the historic barns as the goal.