WESPI DE MEURON ROMEO ARCHITECTS + WEBERBUESS ARCHITECTS

The house has an economical outer form due to its simple form without complicated incisions and projections and its almost square ground plan proportions. The excavation is limited to one storey height only.

The house is turned slightly to the southwest towards the view of the historic village centre of Klingnau, and opens up towards the southwest on both floors with a fully glazed façade; a concrete filter façade in front of it simultaneously provides the interior with sun protection, reflective light and space-creating generosity. The facades on the north side are mainly closed, thus achieving an optimum energy balance.

The existing topography is practically unchanged, which is ideal both economically and in terms of landscape architecture: the house stands like a fortress providing a sense of security on the slope above the steeply sloping rock face.

From the car park at the eastern corner of the property, one passes through a naturally designed garden with old oak, green and paved or gravelled areas and enters the house on the upper floor via a wide, glazed entrance zone, from which the view of the valley is already open.

The upper floor accommodates a spacious cloakroom and a guest toilet in a central room structuring block, the kitchen is set in the middle of the room, the dining area is attached to the central block by a bench and the living area can be furnished freely.

The interiors have a light natural grey plastering; the entire outer shell is made of raw washed concrete, which is partly enriched with plants.

source: Wespi de Meuron Romeo architects