Flexhouse: A Futuristic Family Home on Lake Zurich

Evolution Design's Award-Winning Architecture Marries Innovation and Tradition

Flexhouse draws its inspiration from the dynamic character of its location. The movement of trains and the building plot sitting above the street level inspired the architect to develop a concept that interprets the transient nature of this plot and creates soft transitions between the building, the plot, and the landscape. The round-shaped end-facades connect the building with the landscape and reflect the dynamic location. The transparency of the glass façades interlocks the outside with the inside, enabling movement of views.

The unique properties of Flexhouse lie in its light and mobile appearance, resembling a futuristic vessel that has sailed in from the lake. Constructed with concrete floors, steel columns, and prefabricated timber panels, the building's white fascia follows the building shape perfectly. The rounded facades are clad in white aluminum shingles, giving a ripple texture effect. The concrete floors are thermally activated with integrated heating pipes, which connect to the ground source heat pump.

Flexhouse is built on a triangular building plot with a size of 467 m2. The total living area is 173 m2, spread across four levels: the ground level with the entrance, garage, and utility spaces; the first floor with the kitchen and living room; the second floor with two bedrooms and bathrooms; and the third floor with the studio and two terraces. The building volume is 934 m3, with a maximum building width of 7.8 m and a minimum building width of 4.3 m. The building is 15 m long.

The design interaction of Flexhouse is equally impressive. The external fluidity of the design continues inside with an open plan interior and unbroken views of natural light. On the ground floor, the living room transitions into a dining area and loft-style kitchen. Rather than close off individual floors, the design incorporates a double-height open space, delivering a glimpse of the bedrooms above. The top floor studio with three glazed façades and two stunning roof terraces is the climax of the continuous flow between the inside and the outside.

Despite the design challenges, such as restrictive boundary distances and building volume, triangular shape of the plot, and restrictions regarding local vernacular, Flexhouse was successfully realized. The architects undertook an in-depth survey to assess the timeline of the various building styles of the area, proving that the area reflected the tradition of changing building styles over the past 100 years. Flexhouse's contemporary architecture represented the continuation of this ongoing tradition.

Flexhouse is a testament to Evolution Design's ability to marry innovation with tradition. It's no surprise that this design was awarded the Golden A' Architecture, Building, and Structure Design Award in 2017. This award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, venerated products, and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.