Designed to accommodate unobstructed views of Lac de Joux, the EMGD villa by Ralph Germann is a design of architectural simplicity in the spirit of old boathouses. A feat of engineering designed without any supporting pillars in the way, spectacular views outward are central to the design and realized using the Vitrocsa sliding window system.  

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On a 991 square meter plot on the shores of the Lac de Joux, architect Ralph Germann created this residential project for a two-person household. The main wish of his clients was that all the main rooms should face the lake without any supporting pillars, so that they could enjoy the panoramic view of the lake, which was a feat of engineering.

In accordance with his clients' wishes, Ralph Germann designed a house of architectural simplicity in the spirit of the old boathouses where the lake becomes the main image in the open space of the living room and kitchen. The use of burning wood came about for ecological reasons (no treatment, no painting) and to emphasize the graphic approach of the house while minimizing its visual impact in the landscape.

The house is equipped with an ecological geothermal heating system and solar panels integrated into the roof. The idea of the large roof was to be able to walk around the house, to be sheltered from the weather (rain and snow), to be protected from the summer heat, to have "framed" views over the lake and to give the house a strong aesthetic. The four pillars in the corners were designed to drain rainwater from the roof in a harmonious way.

Team:

Architects: Ralph Germann Architectes SA

Collaborations: BGI Ingénieur, Jörg Meyer

Photographer: Nicolas Sedlatchek

Materials used:

Floor and wall coverings

Ground floor: Sanded and Glazed Concrete

Ground Floor Walls: Larch Veneer and Plaster with RAL 9010 finish

Floor upstairs: Larch Flooring

Walls upstairs: Plaster with RAL 9010 paint

Windows: Vitrocsa, aluminium black

Technology: Geothermal Heat Pump

Photovoltaic: Solar Panels

On the shores of Lac de Joux in Switzerland, Vitrocsa sliding windows give the EMGD villa a sense of lightness while achieving expansive landscape views. The subtle frame profile is in keeping with the clean, simple aesthetics of the EMGD house, with the system able to adapt to the unique environment of each project and limited only by the maximum surface of the glass.

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Located in the Vallée de Joux in Switzerland, the Vitrocsa windows fit perfectly into the EMGD house with its clean, simple style. The four Vitrocsa sliding windows, each 10 meter long and 2.5 meters high, offer a breathtaking view of the lake and add a touch of lightness to the house. The landscape is subtly framed by 22mm vertical connection.

Despite the climatic challenge, the installation of the windows was completed in the winter of 2021 under snow, what better condition to testify to the robustness of the product.

Our sliding window system as well as each of our systems are available in several ranges that meet specific criteria to adapt to the environment of each project. For the EMGD villa, the TH+ range was applied for its thermal insulation properties. For this project, the windows are opened manually but motorization is possible to offer even more comfort.

The Vitrocsa sliding windows have a vertical profile width of at least 18.5 mm, depending on the range chosen. In terms of surface, the system is only limited by the maximum surface of the glass. Vitrocsa sliding windows also offer enhanced security, with a button lock available in two-point locking and key cylinder. Each of our window systems has a 25 micron anodized aluminum alloy structure in natural color and is available in powder coated or anodized versions in an endless variety of colors. The stainless steel bearing system specially adapted for projects near the sea offers exceptional durability and resistance to the elements.