O House

The O House, located in Vierwaldstättersee, Switzerland, was designed by Philippe Stuebi Architekten with Eberhard Tröger. Overlooking Lake Lucerne, its bold visual concept might classify it among slightly different minimal approach in architecture.

First, there is the proportion of façade’s large circular pattern, so strong in impact, one might not realize the actual beautiful simplicity of the O House as a whole. The simplicity is coming from the selection of materials such as concrete, glass and smooth wood flooring to the use of smaller version of circular screen application used as a repetitious element helping to lessen the transition between the outside and inside.

On both, the front and the lake side, this sculptural villa shows very expressive and ornamental facades. Facing Mount Pilatus, the white concrete elements are dotted with circular openings that allow glimpses into the two-levelled orangery with its exotic plants, as well as the lounge, the guest tract and the staircase accessed through one of the openings at the ground floor.

I love strong, well-executed design intent. Here, even something so bold (and somewhat fun) such as the circular openings is finished with confidence. Because of their scale, repetition and simple materiality throughout the rest of the space, the design is intentional, cohesive, and successful, what do you think?

  1. Beautiful, but not really minimal. I personally don’t like it so much, although I wouldn’t mind living in it :)

  2. I love how you describe the circular openings as being “finished with confidence”…very nicely said. I agree with you Anna, that this is a different approach to minimalism. To be minimalist doesn’t always mean sticking with the straight lines. The architect selected the circular form as his primary expression, and everything else seems to support it. Lovely find!

  3. an inspiration! “finished with confidence”. love

  4. anna, i love o house. thank you for the tour. exceptional.