"House One": compostable, sustainable, consistent
The "Haus Eins" in Seelisberg (UR) is the first almost one hundred percent biodegradable house and is considered a pioneering project. The wooden house, which is free of hazardous waste apart from the legally required electric pipes and sanitary lines, offers its guests the opportunity to draw strength from nature.
From the foundation made of natural stone to the metal- and glue-free basic construction made of moon phase wood to the insulation with a hemp-lime layer: the "House One" uses exclusively natural resources, in a variety of ways. The foundation stone for this forward-looking project was laid by Lukas Gwerder. When the Schwyz natural carpenter set about building a house from natural raw materials in 2011, his goal was to combine sustainability, tradition, innovation and closeness to nature.
With almost no outside help, he turned the visionary idea of a house without hazardous waste into reality and moved into "House One" with his family while the renovation was still underway. After separating from his wife, Gwerder decided to put the house up for sale.
Against the fast pace of our world
Urs Kasper, entrepreneur and carpenter himself, was immediately fascinated by the perseverance and consistency with which Gwerder followed his vision. As the new owner, the family business "Kasper & Sohn" decided to support the last third of the construction phase. On one condition: Lukas Gwerder should be involved in the construction until the end. Urs Kasper is convinced that Gwerder's attitude of respect for our nature has great potential for the future. He is particularly fascinated by Gwerder's perseverance:
"There are a lot of houses that are supposed to be organic, but where that construction method has not been consistently enforced. As soon as the first problem comes up, you make a little exception here and there." There are no exceptions at "House One." Contrary to the often-heard excuse "It can't be done any other way," Kasper and Gwerder prove that it is possible to build a house from natural materials that nevertheless meets modern requirements. The sustainability of the construction method is also reflected in the interior design. Kasper chose furniture, fabrics and accessories that were in keeping with the concept of the house - in other words, that were produced sustainably, ecologically and fairly. Not only the house, but also its furniture is completely glue-free.
Below are some facts about House One:
- Exclusive use of native wood
- All angles are above 90° degrees for better circulation of air or heat energy
- Built-in clay furnace and heat exchanger chimney system
- Natural cellar (cool in summer, warm in winter)
- Light sources reduced to the minimum. More light influence due to triple glazed windows without UV protection.
- Mains isolation for the whole house and shielded cables, no power line or cell phone antenna nearby
- Air / water heat pump for domestic hot water in summer
- 3'500 m2 large garden with various young fruit and nut trees as well as berry bushes for own use
- Bathing pond, torrent and waterfall as well as hot tub made of native larch and sauna made of Swiss stone pine in the garden
- Seating on the east and west sides and on the terrace
- Well-stocked library for the "digital detox
- Price: from 360 francs per day
