Zufferey sloped house next to mountain

One could call it crass inspiration at a glance – clearly the slope of the roof reflects the adjacent Swiss mountains – but this design of this unusual cantilevered house goes beyond the “wow factor” to work well in its unique habitat, with nearby winery fields.

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Zufferey sloped house dusk

The lower end of the structure deposits residents onto the private vineyard site, while the lofted portion provides privacy in the direction of the adjacent village (as well as great views of the relatively flat surrounding landscape).

Zufferey sloped house cantilever
Zufferey sloped house underneath

The overhang created by the lofted portion also forms a natural set of parking spaces without having to either fully enclose space for them or waste a secondary portion of the site for such a use.

Zufferey sloped house next to mountain main
Zufferey sloped house terrace

Designed by Nunatak Architectes, the exterior is still the most overtly remarkable piece: a simple play of contrast and matching, dark gray object rising out of the green growing grounds and tying the building in with big background mountains as well.

“« L’Ardévaz », is the name of that mountain. It is located above the site at the north. Its shape and material structure is the unique inspiration to plan the house. Formally, the house looks like a stone block lying on the ground in a fragile balance. It is covered with a skin of natural slates. The sloping roof is in harmony with the east and west sides of the mountain. The fitting’ slates is an image of the stone stratum.”

Zufferey sloped house inside
Zufferey sloped house swindow

“The openings remind of the horizontal marks of the old career’s path. Their dimension and position frame the landscape from the first front to the background: vineyards, hillside and mountains. The unusual aspect of the project does not respect exactly the rules of the local construction regulations. It was finally considered, with courage, like a variation of the traditional roof to two flaps.”

“The repartition of the familial functions does not follow the usual” best” orientation in that part of the Wallis. The outside extensions of the main living area, like terrace and garden, are located on the east and south sides so that to prevent family life from western wind and hot summer temperature.”