From Ruin to Rare Gem – Between Farmhouse and Concrete Block
What is likely Switzerland’s second-oldest wooden house looks more like a junk store. Built over 700 years ago, it has spent recent decades in a state of slumber, much like Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Owner Tobias Dahinden plans to convert the "Buchholz"—picturesquely situated on Lake Lucerne—into a holiday home, thereby continuing its story. The same goes for a former manufacturer’s villa in Schwellbrunn, Appenzell, which an entire village is fighting to save. The "Holidays in Historic Buildings" initiative is booming in Switzerland: by converting unused historic structures into vacation rentals, the foundation dedicated to their preservation ensures their survival and continued relevance. As a holiday guest, you might find yourself staying in a concrete apartment block in the Swiss capital, wondering why Brutalist architecture has suddenly become "Instagrammable."
Switzerland is rich in historic architecture. Buildings spanning diverse eras and styles bear witness to times long past. Often left to decay, they await a second chance to transform from ruins into rare gems. With passion and devotion, people are giving the past a future: a dilapidated goat shed becomes a holiday home; a former TV tower turns into a luxury restaurant. Turning the old into the new—blending a historic soul with modern comfort. The four-part series "From Ruin to Rare Gem" showcases how new life is being breathed into old structures across Switzerland.
Broadcasting on 16th of September 2026 at 08.15pm on 3sat
Music: POPVIRUS Library
