Light-flooded dream house
Roberto Tomé had long toyed with the idea of building his own house for himself and his family. In his job as a department head and member of the management team, he oversees our single-family home projects on a daily basis – from the initial design to the comprehensive coordination of construction management. However, he himself was somewhat apprehensive about embarking on his own building project. The ideal plot of land had already been reserved – in the village of Ruswil, where he has lived since childhood. But it wasn't until the very last minute, when a final decision had to be made for or against the purchase, that Roberto Tomé took the plunge.
“My wife Shirley was incredibly supportive and convinced me that it was the right moment to tackle the project.” Then everything moved quite quickly. One thing was clear: Roberto Tomé wanted to design the house himself, manage the construction, and contribute a significant amount of his own labor. When asked whether his many years of experience in the construction industry had been helpful in the numerous decisions that had to be made during the planning phase, he shakes his head. Precisely because he is so familiar with the vast range of possibilities, it was difficult to focus on a single style. Ultimately, the result had to be harmonious. “Together, however, we were able to pinpoint our wishes. I took the lead regarding the building structure, and Shirley contributed primarily to the interior design,” the homeowner explains. That this is something the Brazilian native has a knack for is evident and palpable in every room of the new house today. Decorative lanterns adorn the small mezzanine.
Another design element is the porcelain stoneware floor with a parquet look and the wall with light-colored artificial stone cladding, which subtly separates the living and dining areas. The modern fireplace is integrated into this wall. When a fire crackles here, it can be seen from anywhere in the room. The white kitchen with glossy spray-painted fronts and an artificial stone countertop adds a minimalist touch.
The master bedroom has a particularly interesting layout. Behind the bed, to the left, is the dressing room, and to the right, an open but discreet bathroom area with a shower, sink, and toilet. The large bathroom is just across the hall.
And what's in the basement of the detached house? On the one hand, the utility rooms and a spacious hobby room. On the other hand – a few steps lower – a self-contained apartment with a separate entrance.
From the outside, it's clear that, due to the sloping terrain, the project extends over five levels, staggered by half a story. The special feature: You can step directly outside from every level. For the Tomé family, it was very important to fully integrate the outdoor space into the design. Roberto and Shirley have absolutely succeeded in this. "Overall, we are extremely happy with the result," the couple rejoices. "Even when we moved in at the beginning of 2013 with our baby, who was only a few weeks old at the time, and lay in bed on our very first night, we knew: Now everything is truly perfect!"
© traumhaus/Tanya Hasler
Feedback from F. & S., Bottenwil
"Overall, we are extremely happy with the result. Even when we moved in at the beginning of 2013 with our baby, who was only a few weeks old at the time, and lay in bed on the very first night, we knew: Now everything is truly perfect!"
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