Single family house in Engelberg. The house was developed between the context of tradition vs. modernity and reads itself as a link between tradional and contemporary woodwork. The ample cantilevered Terrasse with its strong beams establishes the tie with modern architecture and creates an ample exterior area for the living space, whose genereous proportions could have been achieved only this way, when considering the hillside situation of the house. In addition this wide overhanging terrasse achieves to visually mask the neighbouring houses and to focus on the impressive views of the mountainside. One enters the house under the shelter of the cantilvered terrasse. The basement with the wellness area and the concrete terrasse act as a pedistal, from which the spiral concrete staircase develops, connecting the three floors. The polygonal Volume, built of prefabricated wood elements and covered by a tin roof is in contrast with the rigurous orthogonal terrasse construction and consists of a space continuum developed over two floors. The focal point of the house ist the living space, which exhibits a double height and a gallery that connects the two floors. The concrete fireplace dramatises the double height space whereas the rooflight marks the ending point of the spacial developing. The different ceiling heights generate a varied play of different spacial impressions. The sharp-edged concrete staircase reminds of rock formations and contrasts with the comfortable rooms in the upper floor, that are cladded with fir wood plywood boards. The customary local materials have been left raw. The traces of the working process are still readable on the concrete surfaces while the facade cladding is made of rough machined wood boards. The fascinating, moved surface caused by the overlapped boarding reminds of old woodsheds, establishing a relationship with the building culture of the region.

Project: AFGH, project leader: Gilbert Isermann