Site: An existing late classical home marks the slight bend of the Seestrasse as it follows the shores of the lake. Along the villa, the former park stretched to the street above and opened dramatic vistas to the lake. Future densification on this site needed to offer views of the lake equally to all parties, but to avoid seeing their neighbors.

Project: The solution involves three independent but identical volumes placed freely into the existing topography. Occupying different elevations, and angled slightly toward each other, they constitute a small ensemble in the garden shared with the villa. On the natural slope, the houses are all elevated and cantilevered above the ground to minimize the footprint for the preservation of trees and to free the gardens from private territorial expansion. All of the houses are identical and scale and material. Dressed in slender cut wood, they guarantee maximum privacy by being almost fully closed on three sides. In contrast, facing the lake the facades are fully glazed to maximize views. In each of the nine apartments, a fully open and obliquely situated loggia provides private outdoor space. The white paint on the exterior recalls the traditional wood houses along the lakes of Switzerland. The wood lathe details of the facade are also used on the sliding and folding shutters. When open, these shutters stand perpendicularly to the facade and protect against unwanted views.