exposed concrete surfaces form this swiss house by angela deuber architects

thick planes of in-situ concrete and a picturesque mountain backdrop are the key ingredients of this private house in thusis, switzerland. designed by angela deuber architects for a single person, the dwelling is built into a sloping site on the hillside.

images by schaub stierli fotografie

the plot of the house is located on a plateau, bound by an upper and a lower embankment. rather than flatten the land for this new intervention, the architect has worked with the levels and stepped the building into the site. in this way, the architecture seems to emerge from the ground like a rock. 

seen from the front elevation, the house in thusis spans 24 meters long and is characterized by large windows that frame the tremendous views of the swiss mountains. from the opposite side, the building seems more introverted in order to gain privacy from the roadside. this aspect of privacy is further emphasized by the garden wall, which connects the building with the topography and implies a larger floor area.

inside, the house is contained on one floor level. two walls form a central, triangular entrance space and effectively divide the floor plan into three rooms: the living room, the kitchen and the private area. the interiors are distinguished by the choice of exposed, light grey concrete. the heaviness and solidity of this material evokes the idea of the house as a refuge, while the lack of ornamentation creates a minimal and austere aesthetic. the use of concrete is only offset by timber doors and window frames, which highlight the openings and bring a touch of warmth to the home.

the concrete structure consists of a column, two walls and four corners, which together form a whole. the two walls run parallel to the trapezoidal plot and, together with the column, support the roof. the exposed concrete was created in-situ, the surface of the ground sanded or hammered. the ceiling runs continuously from the inside to the outside, whereby an outstanding roof up to 3.40 meters protects an upper terrace.

project info:

project name: private house in thusis

location: thusis, switzerland

architect: angela deuber architects

photography: schaub stierli fotografie