Show house Haussicht by Alfredo Häberli

Built in 2016, Haussicht is considered an icon of modern timber-frame construction. It is the result of a meeting that almost didn’t take place between two like-minded visionaries. When Baufritz CEO Dagmar Fritz-Kramer and designer Alfredo Häberli came up with the idea to create a house together, they asked themselves, "How do we want to live in the future?" The answer to this question is a design that takes ecological and healthy timber architecture to a new level.

Fact sheet

Roof shape

Mono-pitched roof

Façade

Timber

Bedrooms

Dimensions in m

25 x 12.13 x 8

Gross External Area in ft² (incl. basement if present)

4566

A symbiosis of sustainability and healthy living

Designer

Alfredo Häberli

"In my designs, I am interested in creating space for the unexpected. With flexible rooms that can change over time in terms of their look, feel and function. The main objective of Haussicht was to develop a new vision for Baufritz’s expertise in timber construction."

A letter that never arrived yet changed everything.

It all started with a letter to Dagmar Fritz-Kramer from Swiss designer Alfredo Häberli, in which he suggested they meet to discuss a new idea. But the letter never arrived. Years later, their paths crossed, not by chance, but maybe because it was destined to be.

When they finally met, they immediately realised that their two different worlds converged: Häberli’s clear, poetic visual language and Baufritz’s consistently sustainable architecture. Out of this connection grew the idea to create a house that is not just somewhere to live, but also a place for reflection, contemplation and relaxation.

Inspired by sailing

Reminiscent of a ship’s hull, the house is an homage to Häberli’s passion of sailing. Large expanses without visible supporting beams, flowing spaces filled with light and a sense of weightlessness are testament to outstanding craftsmanship.

Even the pond is part of the architecture. The water reflects the idea of life in motion: Fed by rainwater, it freezes in winter to create a glacial artwork.

“The art of imagining what a home can be - that is what our collaboration is all about. Haussicht is an expression of this: A house that seamlessly blends architecture, design and craftsmanship; that proves that innovation and compassion are not contradictory terms; and that still feels ahead of its time, even after ten years."

Dagmar Fritz-Kramer

Upside-down living

Alfredo Häberli builds his designs around people - in the case of Haussicht, the occupants of the house. This meant planning the building “inside-out”. 

As a result, he turned the usual concept of living downstairs and sleeping upstairs on its head. In Haussicht, the children’s and parents’ bedrooms are on the ground floor, while the family cooks, eats and lives on the first floor.

Great prospects

Haussicht, the name given to the house, is a compound of the German words “Haus” (house) and “Aussicht” (outlook). The reason for this becomes clear on the upper floor. The vast kitchen and dining area is almost fully glazed on three sides, offering a wonderful view of the countryside. It is surrounded by a sweeping, wrap-around terrace that also acts as a bridge to the adjoining granny flat.