stocker lee architteti clads office building in switzerland in rust-red tiles + bricks

in a peripheral area of the town of rancate, switzerland, stocker lee architteti has designed an office building as a rust-red, rectangular volume clad in tiles and long-drawn bricks. built as a retreat and shelter, the firm’s atelier is largely closed-off from the surrounding environment, where only the ground and the sky are cut out by a continuous glazed ring and a linear laceration on the ceiling, other than two openings on the first floor, which look at east and north, like two telescopes. 

all images © simone bossi photographer

surrounded by residential buildings that alternate with gardens, vineyards and woodland areas, the building’s site extends in a north-south direction, looking at the swiss mountain, monte generoso, at northeast. within this lush meadow landscape of greenery and colorful flowers, stocker lee architteti has placed the rust-red, rectangular volume of 6,60 by 17,60 meters (in the ground plan). its exterior is covered with tiles on the longitudinal side, while the transversal façades are clad in long drawn bricks.

inside, basement, the parapet on the ground floor, which has been folded into a work surface, and the service core are built from dark gray glazed in-situ concrete. upper levels are made of prefabricated spruce wood elements, which, in contrast to the rough concrete, are glazed white. 29 wood beams give the studio house rhythm and stability. the room layout is functional: the ground floor contains a two-story common room and a meeting room; the basement a model building facility, technology, and archive rooms; and on the first floor a further meeting room and a working space are located. the studio is furnished with custom-made metal tables and shelves combined with solid wood.

project info:

architect: stocker lee architteti

location: rancate, switzerland

main use: office building