Of Materials, Memory, and Mountains

Of Materials, Memory, and Mountains offers insights into the sensitive reconstruction of Chesa Culaischem, a historic house in the Upper Engadine, in the Swiss canton of Grisons. Built in the 16th century, it remained unused and empty for more than 60 years. Magdalena Wallhoff, who owns the house today, revived it with the support of local craftspeople. Together with architects Lena Breitenborn and Charlotte Schoenberger, she now reflects on the undertaking in this book. Core concerns were to be mindful of the house and its legacy, to observe local building tradition and methods, and to learn from and appreciate each other’s work and contributions.

The texts shed light on the entire project from different angles. Newly taken photographs document the house and its surroundings as well as the progress of its reconstruction. Interviews with craftspeople, technical information, drawings, and plans round out this portrait of Chesa Culaischem.

The revived house represents a manifesto for an architecture of minimal intervention that honors local resources and craft, while also demonstrating the chances offered by a contemporary approach to the building culture of the Engadine region. The combination of philosophy and practice can be transferred to other projects, as it responds to broader questions of long-term sustainability in construction.