The House on the Hill

Location: Endingen, Aargau, Switzerland

Year: 2025

Architecture: Oliver Christen

Photography: Jeremiah Schwery

Topography as a Design Driver

The House on the Hill is set on a pronounced slope and responds directly to the existing terrain. Although located in a second row of development, the steep gradient defines both the positioning and internal logic of the building, allowing the topography to become an active design tool rather than a constraint.

Clear Spatial Structure

The two-storey house is composed of a solid base with a timber volume placed above. A wall running parallel to the slope organizes the interior and divides the plan into two distinct zones: a front living area oriented toward the valley and a rear band containing entrance, bathrooms, and technical spaces. This clear structure supports efficient circulation and spatial clarity.

Material Logic and Proportion

The contrast between the concrete lower level and the lighter timber construction above creates a balanced and legible composition. The stepped section reinforces the connection to the hillside, while the upper volume maintains a restrained presence that avoids formal gestures and focuses on proportion and coherence.

Precision and Restraint

The wooden facade is deliberately calm, with color, windows, and roof forming a unified envelope. Detailing is reduced to the essentials, resulting in a building that derives its character from structural clarity, material consistency, and a quiet architectural attitude shaped by the slope itself.

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