Atelier AHA
Männedorf, Switzerland, 2021 - 2022
Client
Privat
Architecture
Sven Patrick Krecl
Builder
Lehm Ton Erde Baukunst GmbH
The building site is set back from the road and surrounded by a lot of overgrown vegetation. It is a small and natural place. The babbling of the brook penetrates through the greenery. The slight slope allows the volume of the new building to grow out of the terrain.
The architect's choice of material was informed by the family's stories of travel, becoming familiar with foreign building cultures. Their social openness and cultural curiosity kickstarted the conversation about earthen material, referring to the centuries old kasbahs visited by the clients.
Close collaboration between the architect and LTE led to a design that was carefully matched to the materiality. This process of material-appropriate design directed key decisions on the orientation of the volume, the large glazing, the canopy for summer sun protection and the winter warming of the dark floor, which all contribute to the respectful use of resources. In this way, nature is used and protected at the same time.
