Casa Huber, Henggart SUIZA
In the middle was the part of the farm where the farmer would drive by with the tractor to bring the dry grass to the animals.
The others interested in the project assumed that this part in the middle would be the darkest part.
- As the architect first let the clients choose, this part was the onefor his family....
...but not to be dark.
Therefore, the old farm had to be completely rebuilt. But we allowed ourselves, within the law, to take advantage of everything possible. The middle part, with the gate where they used to enter with a tractor, was converted into a large window.
With the same height of the old gate, the window was made. The space behind, served as a home office, but could be a small store or office.
The light captured by the window is transported to the basement and to the kitchen and dining room through thick security and soundproof glass.
(It is necessary to take into account that in the local climate, there is not so much sun, and it is necessary to take advantage of the natural light).
These translucent glasses with a soundproof layer in the middle isolate well the two spaces and allow the kitchen to benefit from the morning light. And vice versa the office on the other side. The black parts is a large closet that is not even perceived as such.
the morning light
in the kitchen
the transformation: The old annex with the low roof on the garden side and then ... the new lightweight structure that we put up with thin steel H-columns - opening up the roof in a way that brings light up to the second floor.
And there are roofed spaces outside. Something that's really appreciated when it rains.
The covered lounge
In the center of the house the stairs go up. To keep the space above the stairs open, we placed the stairs to the 3rd floor on another side, a little hidden.
This way this central space also gives light to the bathrooms. The children have always liked to step on the glass.
the kids stepping on glass...
this is the space where the glass gives for the stairs. A large play space not only for children.
Practically it is what is called a "row-house" where the units are side by side. Normally everyone has a narrow garden behind their house. We wanted to make something more open, generous to the eye, that looks like a park, without dividing fences. We placed free-form islands, concealing the boundaries.
- garden design: architect Thomas Steinmann
