Anna Jach has a penchant for reimagining spaces. She embarked on her solo architectural journey a decade ago, founding her own practice after honing her skills at the prestigious Herzog & de Meuron office in Basel. Having worked on large-scale projects such as high-rise buildings and stadiums, she ventured into residential designs, renovations and competition-based endeavours. Now her journey has led her to champion ecological architecture and the innovative use of regenerative (and bio-) materials, an ethos deeply woven into the fabric of her own home.
Situated within a neighbourhood steeped in history, Jach’s house is an eye-catching addition to the Zurich landscape. Her family of four, accompanied by their loyal canine companion, have found solace in an architecturally ambitious abode that combines heritage and modernity. Built in the 1920s, the original structure – intended for post-office workers – was quaint yet limited in space and amenities, prompting Jach’s decision to design an addition that would seamlessly blend with the existing home while embracing sustainable principles.
‘I aimed to diminish the carbon footprint as best as I could,’ she explains, a benchmark that led to the use of local contractors and materials, as well as a commitment to quality over cost. The result has been expertly executed, with meticulously crafted custom features. Jach collaborated with a small manufacturer to create bespoke round windows, an architectural rarity in Switzerland, further accentuating the home’s unique character. Sliding panels allow for them to be covered, as though the portholes are blinking.
The house’s exterior, a captivating dance of light and shadow, draws inspiration from joint art projects with her husband. Their fascination with shade is illuminated in the facade’s circular eye motif, a visual spectacle that evolves throughout the day as sunlight moves across it. This architectural marvel transforms the frontage into a living canvas, inviting passers-by to contemplate the interplay between the structure and nature. Jach’s dedication to sustainable practices extended to the construction process. The challenge of the house’s prefabrication, meticulously engineered over 40 kilometres away, was deftly managed: arriving as three modular units, the component parts were smoothly assembled by a team within five hours.
The themes of unity and serenity carry forward to the inside. Jach’s background in regenerative materials served her well, and she explains how the inner cladding of the façade also serves as the interior surface of the home. This seamless transition creates a sense of continuity, with every element woven into the design tapestry. The furniture, custom-designed to integrate with the walls, showcases an innate connection between form and function. ‘Every element within the house feels like a part of a larger whole,’ she explains, describing the rooms’ tranquil ambience. An abundance of light and the scent of pine are constants that infuse the living spaces with warmth and calm, creating an atmosphere that is as soothing and uplifting as being outdoors in the sunshine.
Marrying nature’s beauty with architectural ingenuity, this house is a masterstroke of design. Jach’s forward-looking perspective extends beyond this project, however, and she hints at upcoming plans that also resonate with her sustainable ethos. She has an eye on expanding the dwelling, and a bungalow adjacent to the residence – a space that she currently uses for her atelier – beckons as her next canvas; the notion of integrating sustainable and innovative materials like hemp insulation speaks of her continuing commitment to pushing the boundaries of her craft. As the sun casts shadows across its captivating façade, Anna Jach’s home seems to blend the spirit of innovation with a sense of timelessness.
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