Yellow House Olgiati

Das Gelbe Haus ( The Yellow Yellow House, Flims, Switzerland ) by Valerio Olgiati

01

CONTEXT

* was designed as a master builder’s house in the center of Flims,Switzerland * builded in the second half of the 19th century * surrounded by recently renovated buildings , new buildings in a discrete traditional style * unoccipied for 20 years before its renovation * Rudolf Olgiati , father of Valeri Olgiati donated the house to municipality before his death. * his require was renovating the building according to the principles of his own architecture * the facades were to be defined as “brutal” *Previous Condition

* the building to be painted white from top to bottom * municipality decided to transform the building into a museum * the conditions were carried out by his son Valerio Olgiati in a most radical way as an instable white cube at the very center of the community

*The Yellow House An empthy shell of no historical significance

02

TYPOLOGY

* the previous plan of the building was divided into small sections so was not suitable for an exhibition space. * the building was completely gutted to create a total space * the interior was rebuilt in solid wood * the windows reduced in size, resemble small, black, deep holes , all look the same * the entryway and the gable of the on the street side facade have dissappeared

*The Yellow House An empthy shell of no historical significance

03

STRUCTURE

• structure is cored out to the bearing exterior wall • such geometric inner structure characterized by an element of chance: the connection of the cross beams and also position of the supporting wood pillar is freely chosen * The bright white surface invests the childlike archaism and sensual materiality of the structure with the character of an abstract thought, which in turn lends the building its ‘apparitional’ appearance.

04

MATERIALITY

* the rough stone was reworked with the hammer to give the walls a sculptural archaic texture. * the stripped, ruin like house was then repainted with chalk whiting. * The roof was removed and replaced with randomly shaped stone slabs. * Windows were fitted with new concrete reveals cast in situ.