House with a Pillar by Architekturkollektiv filiale: A Modern Architectural Gem in St. Urban, Switzerland

Nestled in the charming village of St. Urban, Switzerland, near the historic monastery complex, stands the innovative House with a Pillar designed by the visionary architectural firm Architekturkollektiv filiale. Completed in 2020, this 150-square-meter residence redefines contemporary living by blending tradition with modern concrete craftsmanship and thoughtful spatial design.

Location and Context

St. Urban, a quaint village of roughly 300 houses divided into two main quarters, centers around an imposing but now vacant monastery complex. The surrounding area features local businesses such as a hairdresser, gas station, and the former monastery bakery, making it a unique setting where history and modern life intersect. Positioned at the end of a broad neighborhood street, the House with a Pillar is strategically built over-corner to an existing 1980s structure, creating a seamless dialogue between old and new architectural elements.

Architectural Design and Concept

The defining feature of this house is its precise articulation of concrete walls, which confer an airy, inviting elegance despite the material’s inherent solidity. The carefully crafted standing formwork pattern, developed by skilled craftsmen, not only serves a structural purpose but also acts as a decorative façade element, adding texture and visual interest to the exterior.

Front and center is the iconic concrete pillar, prominently located facing the neighborhood. This pillar, with its convex shape formed by a setback base and capital, plays a key role in demarcating the boundary between the private front yard and the public neighborhood space. More than just a static support, it functions as a spatial and visual separator, emphasizing the home’s unique identity within its community context.

Interior Spatial Experience

A modest concrete staircase with three steps serves as a transitional element, linking the original house’s entrance hall to the newly built one-story extension. This design feature metaphorically bridges the past and present, light and shadow, as inhabitants move fluidly between spaces.

The interior design dissolves traditional architectural boundaries between floor, wall, and ceiling. Utilizing a color palette of blue and beige hues paired with black-stained wooden flooring, the interiors evoke a dynamic and situational spatial experience that adapts to the moods and needs of its occupants.

Notably, the addition is opened on three sides with corner windows, creating a strong visual connection between the interior and its immediate surroundings. For example, the kitchen looks out onto the neighborhood street, fostering community interaction, while the bedroom enjoys views of the private garden. The living room’s expansive corner window gazes beyond neighboring homes toward the Jura Mountains, inviting nature into daily life. A large central opening further links the living room with an outdoor terrace, blending indoor and outdoor living seamlessly.

Architectural Significance

The House with a Pillar is a masterful example of minimalist concrete architecture that respects its historical surroundings while embracing modern design principles. By thoughtfully positioning the new addition and highlighting the concrete pillar, Architekturkollektiv filiale creates a space that balances public and private, old and new, solid and lightness.

All Photographs are works of Rokas Sydeikis