Winkelhaus

Winkel, Switzerland

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Winkelhaus

Winkel, Switzerland

Firm

estudio kmmk

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2026

SIZE

3000 sqft - 5000 sqft

BUDGET

$1M - 5M

Photos

estudio kmmk (13), archibatch (11), fredemontanha (4), SAEKI Robotics (2)

Winkelhaus is the inaugural project of estudio kmmk in Switzerland. The single-family home was shaped by its stunning natural surroundings and by the family’s vision of having something specific to their needs. The house forms a harmonious relationship with the adjacent forest and expansive valley. Its curved design orients all interior spaces toward the setting, allowing the inhabitants to experience both the architecture and its context through all four seasons. The landscape concept integrates the building into the natural terrain, creating the impression that it has always belonged to this very place. The exterior material palette reinforces this dialogue: textured bronze windows allow light to shift in color—a homage to the autumnal tones of the forest—while natural, hand-worked stone slabs reference local Roman ruins, acknowledging the region's historical layers. In contrast to the raw exterior materials, the interiors are intentionally restrained: seamless white floors, white- washed natural wood surfaces, and white plastered walls and ceilings. This composition, filled with abundant daylight, generates a peaceful atmosphere and directs focus toward the astonishing views of the valley and nearby forest.

The design process began with an in-depth analysis of the town, its history, and the character of the site. From this starting point, the project was defined by a rigorous, integrated dialogue between architecture and engineering. Rather than consulting specialists after the form was set, engineers and landscape architects were involved during the earliest conceptual phases. This early integration was critical: it allowed the team to rationalize the complex geometry for efficient construction without diluting the architectural intent. By resolving technical challenges in parallel with design development, the project maintained the purity of the original vision while ensuring a streamlined and high-quality execution.

Through the seamless integration of geothermal and solar systems, Winkelhaus is fully powered by nature, achieving energy autonomy using its own ecosystem. By nesting the structure into the ground, the earth’s mass naturally regulates interior temperatures year-round. As a smart home, the building uses advanced technology to optimize energy consumption and enhance comfort. This commitment to innovation is further exemplified by a pioneering 3D-printed formwork for the outdoor kitchen—a collaboration with the robotics industry and researchers from ETH Zurich scheduled for 2026. This "project within a project" bridges the most ancient form of human artistic expression with cutting-edge technology: a hand-sculpted clay model was 3D-scanned and translated into a digital blueprint, allowing robotics to recreate the organic, primal form with future- facing precision.

From first sketch to final stone, the central mission remained unchanged: combining thoughtful design with advanced technology to ensure the architecture exists in true harmony and in profound respect for its surroundings. After its completion, the main task lies with the dwellers: to begin the soulful path of transforming this man-made structure into a living home.

Project Credits
Architecture: estudio kmmk
Structural Engineering: Schnetzer Puskas
MEP Engineering: Fortunato Engineering
Electrical Engineering: R+B Engineering
Building Physics: Kopitsis Bauphysik
Lighting Design: Caduff & Stocker
Landscape Architecture: Ghiggi Paesaggi
Construction Management: atelier rosinus
Digital Fabrication / Robotics: SAEKI

Photos: archibatch / fredemontanha