simplicity love: House At Zimmerberg Bottom, Switzerland

This family house in Zurich, Switzerland, designed by Rossetti + Wyss Architecten, enjoys views on Lake Zurich and the Alps, situated on a slightly sloping site on the upper edge of the village.

The building has an abstract rectangular shape characterized by the mix of horizontal and vertical elements and a limestone concrete exterior with sharp edges and smooth finish.
Interiors are plain white, with timber furniture pieces having a sculptural quality, while giving a feel of simplicity, warmth and calmness.

Photography © Jürg Zimmermann

Description from Rossetti + Wyss Architekten:

The one-story house, which has impressive diagonal views of Lake Zurich and the Alps, is situated on the upper edge of the village, on a longish, slightly sloping site. The construction is defined by a guide wall and angular concrete wall establishing the diagonal panorama towards the lake.

The differentiated composition of horizontal and vertical elements confers a sculptural quality to the protective structure. Arranged behind, an open glass and oak front relates interior with exterior spaces. At different times of the day, multiple situations converge here, in terms of space and light.The limestone concrete, with sharp edges and smooth finish, anchors the building to the ground. Raising the living level slightly above the surroundings, provides more intimacy in the private areas. The glass facade is tightened room-high to the two cantilever concrete slabs.

The light-coloured concrete walls in front create a series of intermediate spaces from the interior to the exterior. They are not aligned with the glass facade and are jutting out over the concrete slabs. These transit areas have thus been articulated as a courtyard with trees, patio, porch or terrace. In the south-facing terrace, sheltered by the long retaining wall, a swimming-pool has been inserted flush with the floor. The abraded concrete surface enables the light limestone gravel to be seen, giving the surface a warm expression.

Fixtures are built in floor to ceiling as structural elements, which gives a certain generosity to the interior.The choice of materials is austere and reduced, enabling to perceive the nuances in the light ambiances with greater intensity.