Steinhaus SMV

Vicosoprano - 2012

Description

Located in Vicosoprano, a tranquil mountain village in Bergell, this detached, three-storey house was designed for a family of four. It sits on a steep path at the edge of the village. Rather than blending into the heterogeneous context of surrounding single-family houses of different styles, the building seeks a dialogue with nature. The irregular, monolithic structure aligns closely with the north-eastern property boundary, creating a generous outdoor space with a garden seating area on the south side.

The house’s form and the use of quarry stones in its masonry construction emphasise its deep connection to the location: a building becoming part of nature, like a stone. The house appears like an erratic block or a piece of rock that has always been here. This physicality becomes the central element of living. The design draws on traditional building methods and relates to the natural surroundings, cultural traditions and the weather-induced changeability of the materials used. The construction has been reduced to its essentials, so that structure and material merge into a harmonious unit.