Swisshouse XL — Davide Macullo’s Modular Timber Retreat in Switzerland

This blog post examines Swisshouse XL, a compact contemporary residence completed in 2023 by Davide Macullo Architects in Coldrerio, Switzerland.

Drawing on three decades of practice in architecture and engineering, I explore how this 111-square-meter house negotiates scale, memory, and geometry.

The design reinterprets local vernacular forms into a precise, modern composition that both contrasts with and complements its semi-rural setting.

Table of Contents

Context and concept: locating Swisshouse XL within its place

The house sits at the edge of Coldrerio’s historic core, where the town’s compact fabric meets semi-rural fields.

In this threshold zone, the architects acknowledge agricultural precedents while asserting a distinct contemporary identity.

Rather than follow the orthogonal grid of recent urban expansion, the project adopts an octagonal plan.

This geometric move creates a strong visual marker in the landscape and references regional 19th-century experiments, such as Croci’s triangular house in nearby Mendrisio.

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The design establishes a dialogue between past and present.

Design language and spatial strategy

Inside the compact 111 m² footprint, spatial innovation maximizes flexibility and presence.

The octagon produces varied room proportions and angled relationships, making each interior experience distinct.

This geometry allows sunlight and views to be choreographed throughout the day.

It accentuates the house’s connection to the surrounding fields and historic townscape.

The building’s massing and orientation reveal the architects’ sensitivity to local culture.

The house reads as a contemporary reinterpretation of rural outbuildings—simple in materiality and strong in silhouette.

Yet it is unmistakably a 21st-century residence in its clarity of form and spatial economy.

Materiality, character and the vernacular thread

Material choices and detailing are understated but deliberate, reinforcing the link to local traditions without resorting to pastiche.

The house’s robust character is achieved through disciplined proportions and a restrained palette that amplifies its octagonal geometry.

The project shows how small-scale interventions can assert meaningful presence.

The design optimizes structure and enclosure to achieve both durability and a clear architectural expression.

Key takeaways for architects and engineers

For practitioners interested in contextual yet contemporary design, Swisshouse XL offers several instructive lessons:

Geometry as narrative: The octagonal plan is not an arbitrary novelty; it frames spatial relationships and cultural references in one cohesive move.

Scale sensitivity: At 111 m², the project demonstrates how compact footprints can deliver a rich experience through careful proportioning and light.

Vernacular reinterpretation: The house shows how memory and precedent—like Croci’s triangular house—can inform contemporary language without diluting innovation.

Contextual insertion: Positioning the house at the edge of the historic core leverages both visibility and belonging, creating a bridge between town and countryside.

Swisshouse XL: a thoughtful small-scale landmark

Swisshouse XL is more than a distinctive house. It balances tradition and modern design on a human scale.

The octagonal plan and careful placement create a building that stands apart from the usual shapes. Its materials and design keep it connected to the region’s history.

Here is the source article for this story: Swisshouse XL / Davide Macullo Architects