House in Vermes, CH

2020–2022 Completion
Builder: Bader Holzbau AG
Photography: Piotr Hraptovich and Cristian Oprea



Set in the rolling hills of the Jura, the building emerged from a series of constraints and coincidences — guided more by curiosity than ambition, and shaped by needs rather than desires. The lack of a designated plot and limited financial resources became productive challenges, prompting an intensive exploration of cost-efficient construction and assembly methods. What began as an “Excel-driven” experiment evolved into a modest, sustainable dwelling, easily adaptable to different contexts.

Realised through a sustained collaborative effort — involving specialists, builders, and numerous iterative decisions — the project ultimately took the form of a barn-like structure oriented along a north-south axis. While not initially driven by the genius loci, the building gradually anchored itself through precise adjustments and subtle gestures that engaged the surrounding landscape.

Constructed from prefabricated timber panels resting on point foundations of ready-made concrete elements, the structure was produced in a nearby workshop and assembled on-site within a week. Its humble exterior gives way to a more reduced and abstract interior, exploring the possibilities of contemporary domestic space and allowing for an interplay between the plan and the section.

A small, chapel-like entrance leads into a generous central space that opens to the landscape, gradually transitioning into more intimate areas through narrow corridors and a central spiral staircase.

Designed for adaptability, the house currently accommodates an elderly person living with her pets, yet it remains open to future scenarios — a young family, a couple, or even a shared living arrangement.

DE