RIEDIKON HOUSE BY GRAMAZIO KOHLER ARCHITECTS

Architecture perfection!  Gramazio Kohler Architects have this to say about the project:

"This dwelling, which reinterprets the typology of the surrounding gable-roof houses, gains its marked design by adapting form to context parametrically.

The stipulations of two geometric operations were used to determine the groundplan shape of the house. One condition was to keep the neighbouring house’s view of the lake free; the other was to permit access and parking behind the house. Like a tent, an overhanging pitched roof covers the high rooms in the upper storey. The window strip, which runs along the edge of the roof, emphasises the horizontal structure. 315 vertical wooden slats, affixed to the surface of the wall, completely envelope the facades. By milling the edges, the cross sections of the slats were modulated in correspondence with the window strip so that requirements of sight and sun protection were fulfilled, and various, flowing levels of transparency could be set."  

I can see a lot of admirable features in this house, and a personal favorite would be the use of the wooden slats on the exterior - it creates something aesthetically beautiful, but not only that, its also very functional.  And I'm obviously one of the biggest fans of concrete, and in this house there is a lot of the grey stuff!  I do like a lot!  
Lastly I would say that I particularly like the placement of the bathrooms and the openness of these spaces when not in use.   I think there are a couple of new features here that I will incorporate for my little project in South Africa as well.  And a couple that I have already incorporated

Photos:  (c) Roman Keller

http://gramaziokohler.com/web/e/projekte/25.html