This wooden house in Switzerland sits inside a concrete box

Would you live in a wooden box, if you could? Or let me phrase the question differently: Would you live in a modern Swiss home made of wood interiors, overlooking Lake Lucerne?

Did I hear you say "yes"?

I thought so. Because the ingenious designers at the aptly named Swiss architecture firm alp have built one of my favorite houses in all of Switzerland. They not only hit the mark on the design, but also when it comes to the location of the house. Although situated north of the Alps where temperatures are lower and sunshine is less, this single family home sits in the sunniest spot available. The south facing town of Vitznau is known for its subtropical climate, allowing even palm trees to survive otherwise chilly winters.

The Ferienhaus Huse in Vitznau

For the Ferienhaus Huse Vitznau project, the architects have quite literally placed a box made of larch wood inside a massive concrete block. Vitznau is slopey by definition as it lies at the bottom of Mt. Rigi. The concrete shell blends in with the nagelfluh of the mountain, serving as a steady base and as protection for the soft wooden box.

On the inside, the wooden panels stretch wall to wall, from floor to ceiling.

Note the way the architects emphasized the paneling around the large windows: This design feature helps to draw the eye towards the stunning views of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps beyond.

The living quarters of this wooden house are lofty, with a minimalist kitchen perfectly tucked into the supporting cube.

A light well is centrally positioned in order to illuminate the interior with natural sunlight.

And in the living room, there is a sleek fireplace that serves as an eye-catcher as well as a source of heat.

So tell me: Have I convinced you to move into this wooden box in Switzerland?

Right this way for 7 examples of modern Swiss architecture, please!