We believe ornament still matters. Not as decoration. Not as nostalgia. But as a mirror of the forces that shape a building. It makes visible what drives the design and resists the spread of houses that could stand anywhere. In this project, ornament grows from requirements. The brief was simple: build fast, use local materials, create a healthy indoor climate. Instead of hiding these constraints, we made them visible. The façade expresses how the house is built. Timber frames filled with hay. Covered with plaster. The texture is not applied it is the result of construction. Three materials. Timber, hay, plaster. Locally sourced. Prefabricated. Assembled within one summer season. The thickness of the hay regulates moisture and stores heat. The plaster surface records the craft. The result is a non-nostalgic ornament rooted in place, but clearly contemporary.

This housing project is a case study for a cooperative in Pontresina. It provides 10 apartments for a mix of elderly residents and young families.

The compact pentagonal volume is oriented toward the alpine panorama while respecting neighboring buildings. Apartments are arranged concentrically, creating clear views and spatial clarity.

A large overhanging roof defines the identity of the building. It creates covered outdoor areas, protects from summer overheating, allows low winter sun to enter, and produces electricity with 242 m² of photovoltaic panels. Like a protective straw hat, it is functional, generous, and recognizable.

Façade and roof are built from prefabricated timber frame elements with hay infill, enabling construction during the short alpine summer. The ceilings consist of solid timber elements connected without glue, using wooden dowels only. The structure is breathable, durable, and fully reversible.

The ground floor includes a generous entrance space that also serves as a shared meeting area. Outdoor spaces are shaped as terraces and niches — offering both retreat and encounter. The upper floors contain two- and four-room apartments with compact balconies that can be used throughout the year.

An Edible Mountain Garden:

The landscape concept by Matthias Brück frames communal garden areas.

The planting focuses on edible, climate-adapted species suited to the alpine altitude. Existing spruce and larch trees remain. Frost-resistant pines, fruit-bearing rowan trees, native shrubs, herbs, and wild vegetables create a productive and biodiverse garden. It connects ecology with everyday life and strengthens the neighborhood.