In 2018, Swiss architecture studio Think Architecture completed in Zurich “House in a Park”. Taking their inspiration from the natural environment the house integrates harmoniously with the landscape of the surrounding park.
House in a Park Technical Information
- Architects: Think Architecture
- Location: Zurich, Switzerland
- Material: Natural Stone, Concrete
- Type: Private houses
- Landscape: Cadrage LA
- Area: 500 m2
- Project Years: 2017 – 2018
- Photographs: © Simone Bossi
The building is clad with light gray natural stone facing strips. The horizontal layering of the natural stone facing strips accentuates the natural appearance of the structures emerging from the ground.
– Think Architecture
House in a Park Photographs
Text by the Architects
This park-like plot comprises a collection of single-story, freely arranged spaces. The individual structures are held together by a continuous roof edge, which creates a transition with the undulating roof landscape. The volumes take their inspiration and height from the natural contours of the area and integrate themselves harmoniously into the verdant environment.
This basic meandering shape disguises the actual size of the house, and its projections and recesses allow it to merge with the landscape of the surrounding parkland. All rooms have direct garden access and, depending on their aspect, attractive views of the park towards the mountain panorama or down towards the Lake Zurich basin. At the center of the floor plan lies an atrium that provides attractive lighting and brings living nature into the heart of the house. The basement is completely below ground and is only visible near the existing supporting wall.
The building is clad with light gray natural stone facing strips. The horizontal layering of the natural stone facing strips accentuates the natural appearance of the structures emerging from the ground. The upper edge of the single-story facade is finished with a continuous band of concrete facing, which simultaneously creates a transition with the roof landscape. Large wood and metal windows in oiled oak and anodized metal augment the architectural appearance. Occasional skylights enhance the roof landscape, generating zenithal light and an additional line of sight to the surrounding treetops.
House in a Park Floor Plan
House in a Park Image Gallery
About Think Architecture
THINK ARCHITECTURE is an architectural practice founded in 2008 by Marco Zbinden and Ralph Brogle based in Zurich, Switzerland.
Other works from Think Architecture
This house strikes me as a bit harsh, especially the fireplace’s diagonal inset and the spiral staircase. I think Louis Kahn’s Yale Art Gallery (1953) was softer without being less authentic to materials or structure, and it used similar materials. But what a relief from the decadence of MacMansions and decorated sheds! Friedrich Nietzsche said something like: ‘Why so hard?’ the charcoal once said to the diamond; ‘for are we not close relations?’ To which the diamond replied Why so soft? For are we not close relations?