321 — Apartment building Muntanella, Samedan

The first commission for a custom-built house is always a unique venture, and Chesa Muntanella was undoubtedly a heartfelt project for the client. Right from the start, the vision was crystal clear: a genuine wooden house through and through, not merely a structure with wooden cladding. Studio C recommended a hybrid construction approach with wooden elements, where the advantages of cost-effectiveness, comfort, and aesthetics seamlessly converged. This hybrid building technique combines the solid foundation, building core, and facade supports with extensive wooden elements that envelop the house as external walls and the roof.

Anyone who has struggled with a model ship kit marred by imprecise parts understands the importance of meticulous planning, exacting craftsmanship, and unwavering attention to detail. The trio of leading women – the client, architect, and engineer – ensured that these qualities were abundant, resulting in a precise and flawless fit. Progress was swift, with Chesa Muntanella being made winter-ready in just two weeks in October – a construction pace that astonished the conventionally building neighbourhood.

Right from the start, the vision was crystal clear: a genuine wooden house through and through, not merely a structure with wooden cladding.

The distinctive design featuring vertical lines turns Chesa Muntanella into a genuine showstopper. Apart from their unique aesthetics, its narrow slats deliberately create a “buffer” between the interior and exterior: despite being entirely glazed, the south-facing front remains shielded from prying eyes, thanks to the clever slatted facade, while continuous loggias offer residents a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountain slopes.

This interplay of open vistas, partially permeable slats, and vertical window bands softens the meticulously structured facade's severity and allows a somewhat mischievous character to shine through, evoking a constant invitation to engage in a game of “Peekaboo.”