Arnd Küchel Switzerland by Richard Powers

Arnd Küchel Switzerland

Pictures Richard Powers

Words Dominic Bradbury

Drawing inspiration from the barns and agricultural buildings of the high pastures, Swiss architect Arnd Küchel has created an organic but contemporary home against the backdrop of the towering mountains of Sils, just outside Saint Moritz. On the flatlands of the valley, close to the lake of Silvaplana, Küchel designed a house for himself and his family in stone and timber that makes the most of a spectacular location.

The ground floor of the house is devoted to a generous hallway, the kitchen/dining room, a study and the children’s bedroom. A lower ground level is given over to a family room, guest quarters, wine cellar and storage. But it’s the upper level – clad in timber – that makes the most of the views across the landscape from a large sitting room, with a fireplace at one end. A mezzanine library and study looks down upon this sitting area, while the master suite is to one side.