kengo kuma-designed cabin joins 'treehouses' by elemental and studio MK27 in switzerland

conceived by kengo kuma as a ‘suspended forest,’ this residence in switzerland joins others by architects such as alejandro aravena and marcio kogan at the foot of the jura mountains. kuma’s design forms part of the jan michalski foundation for writing and literature, which was established in 2004. vera michalski-hoffmann opened the foundation in her husband’s memory to perpetuate their common commitment to those who devote themselves to the written word.

the project has been conceived as a ‘suspended forest’
image by leo fabrizio (main image by tonatiuh ambrosetti)

the jan michalski foundation’s main buildings, which comprise a library and auditorium, were completed by vincent mangeat and pierre wahlen in 2014. beneath a distinctive concrete canopy, seven residential modules are available to writers for residencies of varying lengths. these ‘treehouses’, which have been designed by a collection of high-profile firms, can be seen in the gallery at the bottom of this page. significantly larger than the other structures, the dwelling designed by kengo kuma is intended for the foundation employee in charge of managing the writing residences, as well as his family.

the architects worked with a local craftsman to reinterpret the region’s traditional roofs as façades
image by leo fabrizio

as the house and its entrance staircase are suspended from above, the design team sought to make the structure as light as possible. for the external façade, the architects worked with a local craftsman to reinterpret the region’s traditional roofs with untreated wood, while larch plywood panels clad the interior walls and ceilings. ‘a corridor runs from the entrance to the main living space, where the floating balcony connects the interior with the surrounding environment,’ explains kengo kuma’s firm. ‘then lateral apertures let the light and nature come into the house.’

the design team sought to make the structure as light as possible
image by tonatiuh ambrosetti 

entry is provided in the form of a suspended staircase
image by leo fabrizio

the dwelling is intended for the foundation employee in charge of managing the writing residences
image by leo fabrizio

the foundation’s impressive library opened in 2014
image by tonatiuh ambrosetti 

external areas are also provided beneath the distinctive concrete canopy
image by leo fabrizio

smaller residences slot in between the columns
image by leo fabrizio

an aerial view of the foundation, sited at the foot of the jura mountains
image by leo fabrizio

1/32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

project info:

client: jan michalski foundation
architect: kengo kuma & associates, kengo kuma, matthieu wotling, silvia fernandez
general contractor: losinger marazzi
structural engineer: muttoni & fernandez ingénieurs conseils
mechanical engineers: sorane (HVAC), louis richard ingénieurs conseils (electrical engineers)