Tormen Architects AG

EFH Riedholz

EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie

EFH RIEDHOLZ

Tormen Architekten AG

MANUFACTURERS
Wesco

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
Rennhard Gartenbau AG

YEAR
2017 

LOCATION
Riedholz, switzerland 

CATEGORY
House

Text description provided by architect.

Located on a hillside in Kanton Solothurn the site is adjacent along the curved main road of the village.

EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie

With the only access point being on the upper northwest side of the plot, it proved to be an anchor point for the main alignment of the house.

The architecture and the given landscape respond to each other – ultimately forming a unity. The house was conceived as two blocks rotated relative to each other and pushed into the hillside.

EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie

This organisation provided a clear routing upon entering the site and dictated the main orientation of the two blocks.

For a family of four the L shaped plan explores the individual vs the collective, openness vs the intimate, closed vs open.

EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie

Upon entering the house, the main space is divided by a central unit and a difference in floor levels. In this unit the functional elements are incorporated and the space flows without interruptions.

Leaving only the translucent staircase and kitchen island as complementing elements. Moving three steps down the family’s collective space is located.

EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie

A kitchen, dining and living room with an overall height of 3.2 metres and two completely glazed facades with large sliding windows.

Creating a natural transition from the inside pace into the garden and a maximum benefit from natural sunlight throughout the entire day.

EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie

On the first floor the private rooms and the master bathroom are all south facing. Providing a panoramic view of the Swiss Alps.

The master suite gives access onto an open terrace enhancing the spatial quality.

EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie

The light metal railing, purposefully separated from the roof edges outlines both floors, connecting them visually.

The absence of a hand railing ensures that there are no visual intrusions on the horizontal lines of the main volumes.

EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie

The connecting element between the two floors should not be perceived as the stairs but more so the choice in materials.

The bare concrete provides a contrast between the white and black finishes, while showing the main structural elements.

EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie

The detail of the concrete shuttering emphasizes that the material is used as an organizational element throughout the entire house.


EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie
EFH Riedholz
© Mark Drotsky Architekturfotografie


EFH Riedholz
Basement Plan
EFH Riedholz
Ground Floor Plan
EFH Riedholz
First Floor Plan
EFH Riedholz
Situation Plan


EFH Riedholz
Section 1
EFH Riedholz
Section 2


EFH Riedholz
East Elevation
EFH Riedholz
West Elevation
EFH Riedholz
South Elevation
EFH Riedholz
North Elevation

Tormen Architects AG
T +41 32 6220284 F +41 32 6220285
Tormen Architects AG
Gibelinstrasse 10, 4500 Solothurn, Switzerland