From a distance, Hemishofen House looks like an impossible structure. The cottage home near the banks of the Rhine river in Hemishofen, Switzerland, appears to be propped up on flimsy stilts with no visible staircase up which one could enter the cabin itself. However, walking closer reveals that those stilts are actually decorative (rather than structural), covering the exterior of a glassed-in main floor kitchen, dining room, and living area.
Hemishofen House is surrounded by old Swiss cabins, and the new building does a good job of modernizing while still referencing classic architectural gestures. The gabled roof is a staple of the Swiss countryside, and the home is covered in timber slats that are the same material used in most chalets. Further, the faux-stilts are a clear visual reference to the wood columns that support the deck roofs in Swiss chalets.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Illusive Architecture
- Create visually deceptive structures to add intrigue and uniqueness to architectural designs.
- Modernized Classic Architecture
- Find innovative ways to incorporate traditional architectural elements into modern building designs.
- Decorative Structural Elements
- Explore the use of decorative elements that mimic the appearance of structural components to add visual interest to buildings.
Where This Applies
- Architecture and Design
- Architects and designers can incorporate illusive architecture and modernized classic elements into their projects to create visually captivating structures.
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Hotels, resorts, and tourist attractions can utilize illusive architecture to create unique and memorable guest experiences.
- Construction and Building Materials
- Manufacturers and suppliers can explore the production of decorative structural elements to offer unique building components to architects and designers.
