Embracing Proxemics: Casa Muttabella Holiday Home in Flims, Switzerland by AADA.

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In the picturesque town of Flims in Graubünden, Switzerland, Casa Muttabella balances modernity with nostalgia. Thoughtfully redesigned by AADA Atelier for Architecture, Design and Atmosphere, this holiday home draws on concepts from both cultural anthropology and regional architectural traditions.

The renovation of Casa Muttabella was guided by Edward T. Hall’s concept of proxemics, which underscores the importance of spatial organization in fostering social interactions. Originally, the apartment’s layout saw personal and public spheres awkwardly collide, leading to uncomfortable encounters. By reorganising the floor plan, AADA has created a harmonious space where privacy is respected and functionality is enhanced. The redesigned bathroom, accessible from the master, guest, and children’s bedrooms, epitomises this thoughtful approach. The bathroom’s monochrome design, featuring a stone mosaic reminiscent of the 1970s, creates a serene, expansive feel, accentuated by reflective surfaces and generous proportions.

Known for its climatic health benefits and scenic beauty, Films has long attracted visitors. Casa Muttabella, built in 1968, is modest in its architectural expression but it’s blessed with a prime hillside location with views of the Signina mountain range. This historical and unassuming apartment became a cherished holiday retreat for a Hamburg family in the early 1970s. The local carpenter who sold the apartment left behind various timber veneers and panelling, which remain integral to its charm. Over the decades, the apartment hosted countless family reunions, embedding layers of emotional significance into its walls.

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In an almost vaudevillian series of spatial acts, Maison Molaire becomes the perfect backdrop for ‘the flux of human life’. For Geneva-based Bureau, the 120-square-metre ex-dental practice posed no issue in translating the clinical, to the somewhat theatrical.

Drawing inspiration from local architectural luminaries like Rudolf Olgiati, AADA infused the project with elements of the New Objectivity movement. Olgiati’s ability to blend modernism with regional traditions, such as the use of saddle roofs and timber window frames, informed the renovation’s aesthetic. Olivia Sommer and David Gössler of AADA aimed to create a space that resonates with timeless elegance and local cultural narratives.

The kitchen and dining room are central to Casa Muttabella’s social dynamics. Inspired by the Frankfurt Kitchen, the new design enhances both functionality and aesthetics. A folding screen between the kitchen and dining room allows for seamless interaction or separation as needed. The dining room, adorned with lacquered timber that reflects daylight, serves as the heart of the home. Here, long evenings are spent in conversation, framed by a bespoke dining table crafted from a 150-year-old Swiss pine, echoing the contextualised column concept popularised by Olgiati.

A cohesive colour and material palette flows throughout the apartment, creating a sense of unity and warmth. Earthy tones and local materials like Swiss pine timber foster a calming environment, while brass details add subtle elegance. The living room, with its floor-to-ceiling window and a mix of family heirlooms and vintage pieces, exudes a welcoming atmosphere.

A Fresh Start: Graziella by Giona Bierens de Haan.

For this Geneva-based architect, the clients were neighbours from the childhood village she grew up in. When asked to design their next residence in Boudry, Giona felt they were giving her an opportunity to “continue on a life path with them”.

The master bedroom’s transformation includes an en-suite bathroom accessed through redesigned double doors. This space, wrapped in a stone mosaic, combines practicality with a tranquil, almost spa-like ambience. The children’s bedroom, though compact, is designed to feel cosy and inviting, with light, warm colours and an upholstered niche that doubles as a bed and robe.

The entrance hall, often overlooked, plays a pivotal role in Casa Muttabella. Dimly lit and decked out in dark brown hues, it serves as a transitional space that connects various parts of the apartment. This deliberate use of light and shadow enhances the sense of intimacy and depth, akin to movements in a musical composition.

In the words of Olivia Sommer and David Gössler of AADA, “Our aim was to create enduring interiors where nothing is hidden. Each space and object reflects a careful balance, with no excess yet nothing missing.” This philosophy is evident in every corner of Casa Muttabella, where modernity and memory coexist in perfect harmony.

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[Images courtesy of AADA Atelier for Architecture, Design and Atmosphere. Photography by Constantin Riess.]