After I had been searching for decades, the opportunity at last offered itself of acquiring a property directly on Lake Neuchâtel – right next to the natural conservation area, with a fabulous view of the opposite shore of the lake and of the Alps. In conjunction with Atelier Oï from La Neuveville – with whom I had worked on previous projects – I developed a design for a house in this exceptional setting.

If I had to sum up what we achieved in just three words, it would be view, light and colour. All the rooms have a view of the lake. Only if you are staying in the visitors’ studio, which faces the south, do you need to go out onto the forecourt in order to see the water. The funnel-shaped terrace surround is open to the lake along the entire length of the building, and so is largely responsible for enhancing the fabulous prospect. Another important factor is the height of the rooms – four metres generally, though reduced by inserts and lowered ceilings in places. This makes for refined and agreeable light effects.

Highly significant aspects of this project are the materials and the choice of colour. White doesn’t feature at all. That was a requirement on my part, and there isn’t any exposed concrete either, even though the concrete work has been carried out with extreme care and precision. I wanted to have proper colours. After thorough discussion we arrived at a solution in harmony with the lake and the green natural setting. A muted aubergine for the outer skin, as a discreet connection with nature. The big flat roof, the fifth façade, is laid with broken stones in the same shade, and then inside it is all yellow, orange and red. These warm tones make an exciting contrast with the water and its varying nuances, which still give the effect of coolness at all times. As a central fixture of the decor, the kitchen is made from aluminium. The material returns a soft reflection of the strong colours of the interior. You feel good in every part of the house, even if you are entirely on your own. This feel-good effect is also partly due to the textile elements – curtains on the façade and to separate the rooms, and the big woollen carpet in the sitting room.

In 2009 our house was chosen as the ‘Swiss Dream House’ in a survey organised by a highly regarded lifestyle magazine.

Willi Glaeser, 2011