Santa Domenica, Switzerland by MS-DA. Two houses set on steep valley slope amongst dry stone terraces. In a remote valley on the Italian speaking side of Switzerland. A retreat for a family spanning now four generations, spending weekends and holidays away from the cities + it is the client's home town.
The plot with two older buildings was inherited, MS-DA decided to replace an old stable by the road as it offers easier access for elders when visiting then building higher on the slope.
The scale and proportions of the houses were adapted to ones in the village in an attempt to understand the vernacular. Being the first house of the village we wanted it to be a kind of gate, throning over the main road. The client's background as a master carpenter informed the designs as much as the steep slopes and valley views.
Ground source heat pumps into solid rock and PV-panel makes this a perfectly modern building seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
I photographed this project in January 2024, staying with Michel Shranz of MS-DA for a night in Chur. We then travelled to this remote valley where he dropped me off for a few nights on my own. It was a mini adventure to take the shots from the other side of the valley. We had to cross the river and then hike through the forest with steep gradient to find the perfect spot for the long shot. Overall very enjoyable to spend time photographing this project.
