Butzenbach Oberrieden

The house is located at the edge of the core zone, embedded in the green landscape on a west–east sloping terrain. The building volume responds to the topography, stepping the levels behind and above one another. The projecting garage and the pool above mediate between the landscape and the main building.

The architectural concept follows the principles of legibility and simplicity. Walls, beams, and slabs are stacked directly and straightforwardly on top of one another. The voids left in between become windows and skylights, forming a structural approach that appears sharp and angular at the edges. The main volume, with a footprint of 10.80 x 10.80 m, is integrated into the elongated side walls. This generates a relationship of projection and opposition, a separated togetherness—a dialogue between elements and building masses.

Inside, skylights illuminate the soffits of the exposed concrete ceilings, with daylight setting the rhythm of the interior through light and shadow.

The material palette is reduced to a few natural elements: cold and warm contrasts face one another and are balanced into a coherent whole.

The building meets Minergie standards, despite forgoing a controlled ventilation system. Technical installations are deliberately reduced to a sensible minimum. The adjoining pool, warmed by the sun, transfers and stores energy in the massive walls.

Client: Private

Planning: Rossetti+Wyss Architekten, bba Bauingenieure AG, Zürcher Elektroplanungen AG, Classen Haustechnik GmbH, Bünder Hydroplan AG, Bakus Bauphysik & Akustik GmbH

Photos: © Jürg Zimmermann