Amidst contemplative mountain scenery high above the river Inn sits the sunlit village of Ardez, whose architectural culture tells of times gone by. The modern Chasa Tuoretta draws on traditional architecture and is inspired by one of the region’s oldest building forms: the medieval residential tower. A reminiscence of craftsmanship in symbiosis with contemporary design.
Even before entering the picturesque village centre with its sgraffito-decorated Engadine houses, visitors are greeted by the striking ruins of Steinsberg Castle, which towers stoically over the village. It is the historical model for Chasa Tuoretta, the private residence and holiday home on the edge of the village, which looks out over lush green to snow-covered meadows, dense forests and impressive peaks as the seasons change.
The square-shaped building with living rooms arranged one above the other follows not only the structure but also the construction method of the former residential towers: Built with 60 cm thick monolithic bricks and lime plaster on the outside, it is largely constructed of wood on the inside. The sparse window openings with their funnel-shaped reveals and patterned sliding shutters face the landscape and the Steinsberg Castle.
The house comprises two independent two-storey units. While the lower maisonette is inhabited by the architect family itself, the upper one is available as a holiday home. In addition to the two double bedrooms, which are reminiscent of modernly interpreted parlours, there is a spacious living and dining area with a kitchen, cosy armchairs and an open fireplace. The black-tiled bathroom under the roof features a small sauna. The apartment has its own small terrace in the garden.
What to do
In summer: hiking, mountaineering, biking and climbing. In winter: Snow hiking and tobogganing, the versatile winter sports area of Scuol can be reached in a few minutes by train or car, there is a children's ski lift and an artificial ice track right in the village. At any time of year: a walk to the Steinsberg castle ruins, an excursion to the Swiss National Park or to the surrounding villages of Sent and Guarda, the homeland of the Swiss children's book classic Schellen-Ursli.
Why we like this house
A refuge in touch with nature and a unique contribution to the architectural culture of the Lower Engadine.
This house is great for
Four people - whether as a couple, family or with friends.
Sustainability
Public transport: Ardez can be reached by the Rhaetian Railway.
Details
| Region |
CH – Switzerland, Lower Engadine, Ardez Engadine |
| Name | Casa Tuoretta |
| Scenery | In a panoramic mountain location high above the Inn River |
| Number of guests | Max. 4 |
| Completed | 2021 |
| Design | Michael Niedermann (architect), St. Gallen |
| Architecture | Modern |
| Accomodation | Apartment |
| Criteria | 1-4 (house/apartment), Family, Garden, Hiking, Lake/river, Mountains, Sauna, No car needed |
Availability calendar
The calendar shows the current availability of the accommodation. On days with white background the accommodation is still available. On days with dark gray background the accommodation is not available.
3 Comments
We (family of four with two kids aged 13 and 10) stayed at Chasa Tuoretta for a week in summer 2025. We had a terrific time, and thoroughly enjoyed both the flat and the area. Ardez is of course a picture perfect Swiss village with a convenient Volg grocery store and a lovely local bakery. Scuol is equally wonderful and our trips there included river rafting and the thermal bath. A third highlight was the spectacular Swiss national park. A perfect holiday in many ways! Even makes you want to learn some Romansh — the Vallader variety of course…
I also asked the kids to write what they thought:
A very comfortable place, out of wood, it felt like a warm, welcoming chalet. Two large bedrooms and two bathrooms, perfect for a family holiday throughout the whole year. It had also a nice view overlooking the cute little town where you could even hike up a hill to visit some ruins and from the flat it wasn’t even a long walk !
… nach einer Winterwanderung auf der Via Engiadina: Der Kamin brennt, die Sauna wird vorgeheizt, das Raclettegerät wartet auf das gemeinsame Abendessen! Wir haben uns wohlgefühlt und werden sicherlich wieder kommen!
September 2023
Modernes Haus, gekonnt angepasst an den Engadiner-Stil. Aussen Beton, innen alles in Arvenholz luxuriös ausgebaut. Modern, minimalistisch und geschmackvoll mit Designermöbel eingerichtet. Helle Räume. Küche alles in Arvenholz, sehr gut ausgestattet, alles vorhanden was man benötigt. Viel Ablagefläche auch im Bad. Die freundlichen und zuvorkommenden Besitzer wohnen im Parterre. Die Wohnung hat einen eigenen Hauseingang von aussen. Sie liegt auf zwei Ebenen. Steinboden beheizt im Wohnbereich, Cheminée (Holz steht zur Verfügung) Schlafbereich mit flachen Spannteppich. Separates WC im Wohnbereich, Nasszelle mit Dusche und Sauna im Schlafbereich. Gedeckter Carport vor dem Haus. Aussenbereich mit großem Tisch und Pizzaofen, Gartenteil kann mitbenutzt werden, Liegestühle vorhanden. Das Haus liegt ausserhalb des alten Dorfkerns, an einer kaum befahrenen Strasse mit Aussicht auf grüne Wiesen, Wälder und Bergspitzen. Guter Schlaf dank Arvenholz und ruhige Lage garantiert. Sehr gepflegt und sauber. Wir haben uns rundum wohlgefühlt und den Aufenthalt sehr genossen.