Andreas Fuhrimann Gabrielle Hächler Architekt*innen ETH BSA AG

House in Surselva

House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck

House in Surselva 

AFGH

ARCHITECTS
Afgh

DESIGN
Andreas Fuhrimann, Gabrielle Hächler, Andrej Zouev

TIMBER CONSTRUCTION
Schoeb Ag

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER
Clarplan Gmbh

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Cavelti Derungs Ag

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Andrej Zouev

COLLABORATION
Megumi Komura

PHOTOGRAPHS
Valentin Jeck

AREA
226m2

YEAR
2022

LOCATION
Switzerland

CATEGORY
Houses

House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck
House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck

The replacement building on a very steep slope is situated in a prime residential location in a picturesque valley in the Surselva region in the canton of Graubünden.

House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck
House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck

The multi-generational house is anchored to the slope by means of a concrete basement, on which rests the prefabricated wooden structure.

It can be entered at street level directly from the road on the hillside. On the valley side, there is a garden area formed by an existing high retaining wall in front of the base story, partially protected by the ground floor projecting above it.

House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck
House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck

In the center of the house, there is a staircase that connects all three floors. Inside, the slope is addressed by the use of split levels, following the topography, generating spatial diversity.

The resulting interior living landscape invites one to wander through and offers targeted views of the surrounding valley. The dark green kitchen and back wall of the living room bring the colors of the forest into the house.

House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck
House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck

The generous living space is combined with the kitchen area two steps above with a large dining table and built-in bench. The settee is oriented towards the two-story wall with a sculptural fireplace.

This showcases the highest point in the room with a tent-like sloping ceiling, which is further elevated during the day by a series of skylights. The wonderful view is brought into the living space through a fully glazed facade.

House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck
House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck

The roof, which cantilevers mostly towards the south providing shade, creates pleasant light conditions during the day.

The windows are varied in design. Punched windows, like those found in classic chalets, characterise the mountain-side facades, while larger structural corner windows to the south create a more urban atmosphere in several living spaces.

House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck
House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck

Fundamentally, the chalet type with pitched roof, which is common in the mountains, is enriched by modernist elements inspired by Richard Neutra's chalet in Wengen.

Rather than being ingratiatingly traditional, its architecture combines local building forms with a more global spirit. Its design is based on the fusion of partly opposing strategies that create an idiosyncratic spatial structure that exudes lightness and satisfies liveability and atmospheric demands.

House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck


House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck
House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck
House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck
House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck
House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck
House in Surselva
© Valentin Jeck


House in Surselva
Section - 1
House in Surselva
Section - 2
House in Surselva
Section - 3
House in Surselva
Section - 4


House in Surselva
Elevation - South
House in Surselva
Elevation - East
House in Surselva
Elevation - North
House in Surselva
Elevation - West


House in Surselva
Plan - Basement
House in Surselva
Plan - Second floor
House in Surselva
Plan - Third floor
House in Surselva
Plan - Fourth floor

Andreas Fuhrimann Gabrielle Hächler Architekt*innen ETH BSA AG
T +41 44 2710480
Andreas Fuhrimann Gabrielle Hächler Architekt*innen ETH BSA AG
Zürichparis, Hardturmstrasse 66, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland