Residential
2023
571 sqm
Private commission
Photo by Render
The interior concept for this new villa in the Hottingen district of Zurich, near the legendary Dolder Hotel, was born out of a deep desire to combine the essence of Japanese design with the unique context of Swiss architecture. The client's experience of living in Japan was to be a common thread running through the entire design.
Our goal was to create a space where the materials and architectural elements reflect both the serenity of Japan and the special character of Zurich. The strict square architectural geometry of the villa is both an aesthetic and a functional decision that creates a bold, modern silhouette in the surrounding landscape.
This was the beginning. The interplay of private and public, light and dark, is expressed through the dynamic façade, where wooden elements create a rhythmic dialogue with the light and offer glimpses of the interior, while maintaining a sense of privacy. This contrast between opacity and transparency runs through the entire building and our design, offering both intimacy and openness.
The project extends over three levels: the basement houses the essential supply and service rooms, while the main entrance and the private areas are spread over the first two floors. Finally, the centrepiece of the living space is located on the third floor: an expansive open room with a magnificent view of the lake, offering a perfect balance between connection to the outside world and private retreat.
The central spiral staircase is an important architectural and design feature that elegantly connects the three floors. From here, the top-floor terrace offers breathtaking views of the lake – a moment of openness and serenity that contrasts with the more intimate spaces inside.
The entrance level creates a strong connection to the outside by incorporating a stone floor inspired by the delicate lines of matt and soft tatami mats, creating a subtle rhythm throughout the villa. At the same time, brass inlays on the stone surface capture and reflect the light, bringing movement into the space, while the bamboo-inspired details in the brass rod of the staircase create an organic, natural rhythm as you ascend.
The main focus of the project was to find a balance between opposites: calm and dynamism, perfection and imperfection, light and dark, softness and hardness. It is a space where the materiality, form and philosophy of the design come together to create an experience that is uniquely personal yet universally inspiring.