Mittelarni, UR
The hamlet sits on an unbelievably sun terrace, 1,300 metres above sea level, and has not been built on for 60 years. Mittelarni can be reached via the Arni-Amsteg aerial cable cars. The valley station with car park is located right next to the Amsteg motorway exit. Zurich can be reached within 60 minutes by car. The steep, four-minute ride up the mountain is a transformative approach to a protected natural area and a piece of architectural culture. Above the historic mountain station, where the residents' letterboxes are located, sit the three studio houses on 7,974 m2 of land. They are the last building plots in Mittelarni.
Make an appointment
Details
Status
In development, reserve nowSwiss film newsreel (1.20)
Mittelarni, with its cable car, has remained authentic and car-free. The new studio houses, a kind of small colony, are in harmony with the existing buildings. The hamlet gains substance and beauty.
3 studio houses, primary residence
Valerio Olgiati's architecture does justice to the location. On the sunny slope, the studio houses are a valuable contribution to the hamlet and the mountain landscape. In sizes S, M and L, the three houses resemble dark towers, and have been seamlessly integrated into the topography. They are carefully arranged within the steep landscape, which includes a mountain forest with diverse flora and old trees, and turn eastwards towards the Maderanertal valley. The black pine forest in the background completely swallows the wooden facades.
The original dry walls made of stone were once used to support vegetable gardens. Today, they structure the slope and connect the houses with the topography. During construction, some of the walls will be partly demolished and rebuilt. The houses are accessed from the historic hiking route via narrow paths along the contour lines. No seating areas or patios interfere with the landscape.
Unlimited revelation
Contemplation and concentration on the essentials were the aim and brief for the architect. The high, pyramid-shaped living and working space offers sweeping views of the mountains towards the south and south-east. What you get is atmospheric density. Letting go of one’s ingrained reflexes is a real possibility when living at the Mittelarni house. A recalibration of one's own being, and doing, is achievable. The basic furniture is also designed by Olgiati. The result is a total work of art.
«The pyramidal main space will have a liberating effect on the residents.»
LOADING ..
Develop with Poeticwalls
Do you have an idea for a building or conversion project? Are you the owner of property or building land? Do you want to find the best creative and rational architectural solution?
