Constructive Alps 2015 - Internationaler Preis für nachhaltiges Sanieren und Bauen in den Alpen

A unique area of land characterized by its westward sloping incline, sculptured from the surrounding earth comprised mainly of orchard and lawn. To the south lies a wood and the Rio Maserac: a harmonized and contextual landscape. At the request of the client’s access to the building has been realized following the natural lines of the surrounding landscape, so as to make it "invisible" from the mountain above, and be perceived as a single horizontal cut from belowe. The building is not ‘placed’ on the ground, but it is in the ground: it is the natural slope that houses the volume of the building. Architecture and topography meet. The entire high energy-efficient building employs passive air conditioning systems and is certified as KlimaHaus Gold. The underground structure is made entirely of wood whilst the finishing touches are constructed from local materials, such as stone and wood.