Home tour: A Swiss villa with a hotel-like spa and amazing views

Rinderknecht presented a host of design and layout ideas with Japanese influences, which was well-received by the client and served as a basis for the design direction, while ensuring that the Asian influences still fit within the Swiss context. “The architecture and typology of the four buildings with their big wooden roofs and overhangs remind one of Japanese engawa,” she says, referring to the flooring strips that form a covered porch area in Japanese homes.

The precise framing of the verdant valleys and glorious mountains is not just a feat of architecture, but showcases the genius of the landscape design. “I have known Enzo Enea for a long time—he’s a master in designing the landscape environment in such a way that it is sympathetic with the existing location.” Enea studied what makes the typical Appenzell landscape unique and then wove in Asian influences, resulting in a garden that looks and feels like it had always been there.

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Given the scene-stealing location, most designers would be content to place the focus on the outside but Rinderknecht’s interiors are not designed to play second fiddle; rather, they elevate the setting. In keeping with the owner’s desire to have a “visually quiet” home, she chose timeless materials such as oak, travertine and stone but used them in unexpected ways.

“We used bone travertine in multiple finishes and textures—from a honed floor to open pore walls and hand-chiselled accent walls, such as at the indoor pool area,” she shares. The wood surfaces by Schotten & Hansen were also carefully calibrated, with the bone-coloured finish picking up on the hues of the travertine while sporting a certain sparkle that makes it stand out.

Every element in the home melds harmoniously, which is a reflection of the level of customisation that went into it. All the built-in units were custom-made in oak wood, Douglas fir and bronze, which create consistency across the rooms and also allude to the woodlands outdoors. Very few items were acquired off the shelf, save for sofas from Italian brand Giorgetti, dining chairs from Japanese brand Time & Style and Rinderknecht’s own Soban tables, inspired by Korean dining culture and her own experience growing up in Korea.

The expansive spa is the epitome of the villa’s bespoke nature. Swathed in cream travertine and rich timber, it is a picture of serenity. “Our client is a very health-conscious person, so having a spa facility was of utmost importance to him. Our starting point was intensive research based on the ideas of holistic health and healing, naturopathy, and mindfulness.”

With a 14m-long indoor pool, Finnish sauna, steam bath, massage and relaxation room, shower areas, tea station, changing room and a separate fitness area, it is more extravagant than many luxury wellness clubs in Europe. “The spa builds on the drama by layering experience upon experience. The indoor swimming pool sits at the perimeter, overlooking the beautiful natural landscape and the quiet village of Teufen. Natural light floods the pool area and is filtered through the wooden screens throughout the spa hallway,” says Rinderknecht.

Moving inwards, the other spaces are arranged around a central circular room. A focal point is the quartzite fountain, which emits the sound of gently flowing water that can be heard throughout the spa. It is a detail that Rinderknecht seems to be extremely proud of. “I have always loved stone as a material. In this spa, we were able to create a monolithic emerald quartzite fountain as well as the solid stone benches, which allowed the natural beauty of the material to take centrestage.”

Another impressive element is the lighting, which Rinderknecht believes is integral to connecting the separate buildings. That responsibility fell to Joerg Krewinkel, who specialises in lighting for luxury retail and high-end residences. He worked his magic, utilising minimal recessed lighting that brings attention to the understated yet luxurious textures and finishes in the villa.

The design team chose the decorative lighting, which they refer to as the “jewellery” of the home. One that truly impresses is the Ginkgo chandelier by artisan Rosie Li, taking pride of place above the dining table. “Even though the house is called Villa Fernblick, our pet name for it is “Villa Ginkgo” as our client believes in the symbolism of this beautiful tree. The Ginkgo leaves are also depicted on the spa’s glass partition doors, and Enzo Enea has planted a few Ginkgo trees in the garden as well,” she shares.

Given the level of customisation in this abode, it’s no surprise that the owner doesn’t want to leave his home—not even to travel to other luxury hotels. “He says he now has everything [he needs] at home. He is especially fond of the spa, the cosy wine tasting room and the home cinema, as well as the pool house and outdoor garden. He also has his own herb garden which he absolutely adores,” says Rinderknecht.

To her team as well as their collaborators, this is the ultimate compliment. “A satisfied client who doesn’t want to leave his home makes us happy. It shows that we fully understood our task and were able to create a dream home.”

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