About the project:
~ 6 min
Area:
1,000 m²
Climate:
Nord house
Location:
Switzerland
Mistwood Residence
One of the signature projects created during Studia 54’s 10th anniversary year is the private 1,000 m² Mistwood Residence, located on the shores of a picturesque Swiss lake.
The project received its name from a natural phenomenon that transforms the perception of the site every day: in the early morning, the water surface is covered with a delicate mist, while the silhouettes of the surrounding trees gradually dissolve into the landscape.
The main challenge was to create a residence that would become a natural continuation of its surroundings. The forest, water, terrain, and local climate became essential design tools alongside materials, proportions, and architectural solutions.
For our studio, this project represents a new stage in the evolution of our signature approach to designing northern residences. While the Repino house, which became the main reference point for the client, treated nature as a context that needed to be carefully preserved, in Mistwood, nature became the foundation of the entire concept.
Materials Inspired by Northern Nature
Every material in the project was selected with careful consideration of the Swiss climate, as the client wanted the residence to preserve its character for decades to come. High humidity, seasonal temperature changes, and the challenges of a natural lakeside environment required a thoughtful approach to material selection, with durability and graceful aging becoming key priorities.
For the façades, we chose linear brick, natural wood, and porcelain stoneware. Over time, the timber will develop a distinctive silver-grey patina, allowing the residence to blend even more harmoniously with the surrounding forest.
The linear brick adds depth and character to the façades, creating a sense of timeless solidity without visual heaviness, while porcelain stoneware ensures the long-term durability of exterior surfaces.
The colour palette of the residence is inspired by the shades of northern landscapes — warm brown, muted grey, sandy tones, and the colours of damp earth. As a result, the house changes together with its surroundings, revealing new nuances depending on the season, weather, and natural light.
A Home Without Boundaries
The client wanted to create a seamless connection between the forest and the residence. Therefore, the design incorporates open and covered terraces that gradually transition into the garden and the lakeside landscape.
The complex roof geometry creates deep overhangs that protect outdoor living areas from weather conditions while preserving uninterrupted panoramic views.
Extensive glazing allows residents to experience the changing seasons and the beauty of the landscape from almost every room.
Living Scenarios for a Large Family
The layout of the residence was designed around the everyday life of the client’s family and various scenarios of using each space.
Panoramic Living Room
The heart of the residence is a spacious living area with a fireplace and grand piano, connected to the dining room, kitchen, and lakeside terrace.
Thanks to the double-height volume, the space is filled with natural light and becomes the central gathering place for family moments and hosting guests.
One of the key architectural solutions of the project is the increased ceiling height in the centre of the house.
The expanded volume enhances the scale of the interior, creates a dramatic focal point, and allows natural light to become an active element of the space. Throughout the day, the atmosphere constantly transforms: morning sunlight, evening sunsets, and the warm glow of the fireplace create completely different experiences within the same interior.
Spa Area
A separate wing of the residence features a swimming pool, sauna, massage room, and private terrace, creating an independent wellness zone where residents can relax and restore energy without leaving the comfort of their home.
Master Suite
Private spaces are separated from the main living areas and include a bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, and spacious bathroom.
Children’s Wing
A dedicated wing was designed for children, featuring a private living area and bedrooms. This solution allows every family member to enjoy personal space while maintaining the feeling of one unified home.
Kitchen Area
The kitchen is oriented towards the lake, allowing everyday activities to be accompanied by panoramic views of the water — exactly the atmosphere the client’s wife wanted to create.
Evolution of the Signature Style
Mistwood became a natural continuation of Studia 54’s experience in designing northern residences and one of the studio’s key projects of 2026.
This year, Studia 54 celebrates its 10th anniversary. The team worked on the project for more than four months, continuously refining solutions that had previously been developed in the Repino residence and highly appreciated by the client.
During the design process, we reimagined the relationship between the residence and its natural surroundings. The building proportions were reconsidered, panoramic glazing was expanded, a new roof geometry with deep overhangs was developed for the northern climate, and the terrace system was completely redesigned, allowing the interior to transition almost seamlessly into the landscape.
Comprehensive Design Approach
We especially value projects where architecture, interior design, and landscape can be developed as one unified system.
This integrated approach allows us to create residences that become an organic part of their environment.
Mistwood is a contemporary interpretation of northern countryside living, where every material, every view from the window, and every planning decision makes nature an essential part of everyday family life.
The residence transforms together with the weather, seasons, and changing light, revealing itself in new ways while remaining a place that feels timeless and welcoming — a home where one always wants to return.
