Remodeling and Extension of a Family House in Küsnacht

Home with a Panoramic View

On the top floor - Transforming an underutilized and previously uninhabited attic, Raumtakt created a cozy and modern home for a young family on Lake Zurich.

Built in the 1940s, the single-family house with two stories and a flat roof in Küsnacht on Lake Zurich underwent a transformation about 40 years later into a multi-family house, with the addition of an upper and attic floor culminating in a gable roof.

The house had been in the family's possession since its construction. The owners, who occupied the top two floors, commissioned Raumtakt for the renovation and refurbishment, with the architectural firm taking responsibility for the entire renovation.

During the preliminary project, it became apparent that an additional expansion of the attic required a transfer of building mass. The calculations for such a transfer are based on the volume allowed for building on a property. This requirement was fulfilled by an adjacent building. This allowed interior designer Stefan Müller to create additional living space in the attic that did not exist before.

In the preliminary project, Stefan Müller, in collaboration with the homeowners' vision, developed a forward-thinking spatial program. The goal was to implement the family's vision in the two floors: a clear room structure providing space for the two children while also meeting the parents' needs for a retreat.

The clever room arrangement in the house also fulfilled the homeowners' desire for a larger kitchen. By moving a non-load-bearing wall in the kitchen area, the corridor took on a coherent form. The old, small windows were replaced with floor-to-ceiling, inviting glass, adding coziness to the light-filled space and making the rooms more inviting. Simultaneously, this construction measure brought about significant energy savings.

The roof insulation of the house proved to be insufficient; the entire plumbing, heating, and electrical installations were in need of renovation. Since the attic spaces were now used as living areas, it made sense to relocate the heating from the roof to the basement. A utility room was created there, and a new floor heating system was installed in all rooms with a new line layout.

In addition to the part used as a bedroom with a dressing room, the attic now features a new bathroom. To provide the family with the necessary privacy, Stefan Müller created a stylish glass partition in a contemporary industrial look. The glass partition, along with the handmade railing in the same matte black finish, provides visual clarity and serves as an eye-catching element in the house."