Private residence in Geneva / Charles Pictet

Jan 2009

By Nico Saieh — Filed under: Houses , Selected , Charles Pictet, Concrete, Switzerland, Wood

Architects: Charles Pictet Architecte FAS SIA
Location: Colony, Switzerland
Collaborator: Anjéla Aubert, architecte DPLG
Engineering: ESM, Jérôme Ponti, Genève
Project Year: 2003-2005
Photographs: Francesca Giovanelli

Standing on a steeply inclined plot of land, this house articulates its layout of over 800 sqm in two volumes. The two-level residential area in light-colored masonry is set on a dark-hued base that neutralizes the slope of the terrain and houses the building mechanicals. The facades are made of colored in-situ concrete. The exterior woodwork is made of oak.

: situation plan

: basement plan

: ground floor plan

: first floor plan

: front elevation

: section

12 comments »

Contemporary Art says:

It could be nice to see more pictures, but from these images this looks like a lovely home. I like the way it’s set into the landscape, and the two-toned exterior is subtle but complicating (in a good way).
–
http://www.contemporaryartdaily.com

# January 11, 2009 at 11:34

roadkill says:

i’m with CA on this one… let’s not get standards slip here. More images [photos and drawings] are always welcome when looking at good projects – more details please if you can

# January 11, 2009 at 13:41

Kim says:

WOW It looks so much like it could be anywhere. Very coffee table architecture.

Seeing the photos, I wouldn’t like to cook alone in that kitchen, or maybe it’s a picture of the corridor (maybe the client has a cook). Reading the plan, I don’t like so much to have ensuite without windows, there’s about 3 bathrooms on the first floor without any view to the wonderfull landscape. Wonder if the architect could publish as well pictures of the building during winter.

# January 11, 2009 at 17:17

john smith says:

simple & elegant. Love it.

# January 11, 2009 at 17:47

Darian says:

WOW You always tried too hard to look smart, Kim.

# January 12, 2009 at 01:49

Darian, I am not a robot affected by the tourrette syndrome, I know very well that behind these pictures there are guys that have worked hard. To be critical is not to just drop a stupid comment, like so many kids do on Youtube.

Haven’t we learn to have constructive comments between peers in our profession ?
Is it too difficult to raise the level of the internet, above insults and trolling?

# January 12, 2009 at 02:48

Carlo says:

i agree with kim. we forgot to discuss architecture seriously, considering the ideas behind the “cool” shapes and images. Actually this particular building is quite mediocre. The surface area assigned to distribution and corridors is too big. the big area around the stairs has no spatial quality. the entrance area is quite narrow; you drop into a closet door, which is not very nice. not to speak of the balconies, that are just inadequate for a single family house and there is hardly space for a chair or a table. The bathrooms are rather claustrophopic. You could compare them to a bathroom in an economy hotel.

I acknowledge the efforts, but i miss spatial complexity. It is too neat and proper.

I really do not like it.

# January 12, 2009 at 03:47

sebastian says:

i don’t care if a building could be anywhere.

# January 12, 2009 at 11:18

odris says:

i totally agree whith Carlo.

# January 12, 2009 at 17:46

George says:

looks very well done – would love to see more interior pics!

# January 13, 2009 at 12:16

Rokas says:

Architecture looks very precise…But I agree-it’s”deja-vu”.Its not about shape,or as someone says”modern-box”,Modern box isnt bad.But when I see it,I think-”I saw it already somewhere”

# January 14, 2009 at 06:33

alois says:

talking about complexity, it clear, this house is reduced to the minimum but I guess this guy knows what he’s done. if you check his website and for ex. his house in frontenex, he knows how to deal with that issue in a pretty good way.

# January 15, 2009 at 15:00