Architecture

Luxury glass home is tied with a ribbon

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While it's no Passive House, Flexhouse does feature some energy-efficient design
Peter Wuermli
While it's no Passive House, Flexhouse does feature some energy-efficient design
Peter Wuermli
The ribbon-like white facade breaks up the glazing and gives the house its shape
Peter Wuermli
The basement parking 
Peter Wuermli
Admittedly it does look a bit like a sleigh from this angle
Peter Wuermli
The upper levels include a studio with two large terraces from which the occupants can enjoy a 180 degree views of Lake Zurich
Peter Wuermli
The home's interior layout is open and airy 
Peter Wuermli
The main living area 
Peter Wuermli
The four story home comprises a total floorspace of 173 sq m (1,862 sq ft)
Peter Wuermli
The build posed something of a challenge thanks to a undesirable (well, for a luxury home, anyway) plot
Peter Wuermli
The house is sandwiched between a road, a railway line, and the edge of a village
Peter Wuermli
"We’ve given the space a direction of view," says Evolution Design's Stefan Camenzind. "When you’re traveling in a car or train, you face a certain way and this house does too
Peter Wuermli
Inside the main living area
Peter Wuermli
Spiral staircase is a nice touch
Peter Wuermli
Flexhouse is clearly intended as a place both to see and be seen
Peter Wuermli
Blinds are available for privacy, especially important in this room
Peter Wuermli
The upper levels include a pair of bedrooms and bathrooms
Peter Wuermli
While it's no Passive House, Flexhouse does include a focus on energy-efficiency
Peter Wuermli
Check out that view 
Peter Wuermli
The use of wood is superb 
Peter Wuermli
Architectural drawing of Flexhouse
Peter Wuermli
Architectural drawing of Flexhouse
Peter Wuermli
Architectural drawing of Flexhouse
Peter Wuermli
Architectural drawing of Flexhouse
Peter Wuermli
Architectural drawing of Flexhouse
Peter Wuermli
Architectural drawing of Flexhouse
Peter Wuermli
View gallery - 25 images

Swiss firm Evolution Design recently completed work on a unique glass house dubbed Flexhouse. Built on a challenging plot on the banks of Lake Zurich, it boasts a stunning design, a focus on energy-efficiency, and great views. All it really lacks is privacy – this is clearly intended as a place both to see and be seen.

The three story (plus basement) home is mostly glazed, with a bright white ribbon-like facade helping to define its shape. The interior comprises a total floorspace of 173 sq m (1,862 sq ft) and features a roomy open plan living, dining, and kitchen space on the ground floor. Utility spaces such as the garage and laundry room are hidden out of sight at basement level.

The upper levels include a pair of bedrooms and bathrooms, plus a studio with two large terraces, from which the occupants can take in the 180 degree views of Lake Zurich.

Flexhouse was built on an a relatively cramped triangular site, sandwiched between a road, a railway line, and the edge of a village. Conventional wisdom would seem to demand a home that's closed-off and private, but Evolution Design went to the other extreme, embracing openness and using the passing traffic to inform the home's layout.

Flexhouse is clearly intended as a place both to see and be seen
Peter Wuermli

"We've given the space a direction of view," says Evolution Design's Stefan Camenzind. "When you're traveling in a car or train, you face a certain way and this house does too. On the ground floor it faces south-east, from the bedroom it faces west towards the sunset. And from the top floor terraces there are views around 180 degrees."

While it's certainly no Passive House, Flexhouse does feature some energy-efficient design. Thermally-activated concrete floors are paired to a geothermal heat pump for heating and cooling. In addition, the glass facade is triple-glazed and sports external blinds to reduce heat gain.

Source: Evolution Design via Arch Daily

View gallery - 25 images
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3 comments
AngelLestat
This is the kind of houses that designers love but who are not practical at all. Is impossible to get privacy, at night the problem increase with all internal lights on. Is the same that some fashion clothe designers making cloth that nobody will dare to wear.
YouAre
AngelLestat - if designers lived in buildings they've designed, they'd be much less inventive. Yet, the current design offers you some privacy, in the bathroom and garage though;) When you have a train passing by just 15m from your head and 15 kV power line about 20 m from you, privacy becomes quite relative.
sidmehta
The privacy problem is easy to solve: lightly mirror the glass on the outside. No one can look in anymore and they will get a great reflected view of the lake. One way mirror has been around for decades.