Urban character in a transitional setting

At the edge of Sarnen’s commercial zone, Seiler Linhart Architekten have designed a five-storey timber structure that exudes an urban presence. Intended as the new headquarters for the Obwaldner Kantonalbank, the building currently stands alone but is set to become part of a future mixed-use neighborhood. Its square footprint and distinct height signal a shift in the area’s architectural language, anticipating its evolution from industrial fringe to integrated district.

Skeleton construction in wood and concrete

The building is conceived as a timber skeleton structure, supported by spruce and ash columns and beams, with a single concrete core for rigidity. Slightly offset from center, a two-storey entrance hall and a three-storey internal courtyard organize the plan vertically. While the ground and first floors remain accessible to the public, the upper levels house office spaces that benefit from daylight and ventilation through the courtyard.

Refined interiors with ornamental detailing

Inside, the timber skeleton remains exposed, with lightweight partitions enabling flexible configurations. Generous glazing opens office areas to the circulation zones around the central courtyard. In the client hall, a striking 120 m² illuminated ceiling uses grey MDF panels as a diffuse grid. Subtle decorative touches include milled wooden lintels at the facade openings—abstracted patterns that reference the initials OKB.

A facade that mirrors interior structure

The facade articulates the building’s dual function through its rhythm and materials. On the lower floors, perforated aluminium sliding shutters shade floor-to-ceiling windows, while smaller awning windows above are protected by textile blinds. A concrete-clad base on the ground floor visually anchors the structure and forms a contrast to the timber above, where a strict grid of openings reflects the underlying structure.

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