May-June 2012

ARCHITECTURE
The block aligned along the
trees without interfering them.
These blocks are horizontally
running parallel to ground
HOLIDAY PARK,
GERMANY
Designed by Christian Müller
Architects and Krill Architecture,
the master plan is spread in an area
of 14 hectares. Since the site had a
forest, it was but natural to keep the
essence of nature whilst exhibiting
the contemporary and luxurious
living. This Holiday Park is aimed
to be sustainable by combining
buildings with nature rather than
contemporary holiday parks that
serve as suburbs. Aimed to host
145 houses in the area, the design
proposes holiday houses, swimming
pool, spa facilities and health centers.
It is in the best interest of alpine
architecture practice to promote
the nature rather than modify it. The
houses, therefore, are designed as
boxes that seem to pop out from the
slopes in land and run horizontally
along the adjacent tree or landscape.
These houses are designed in a
prefabricated modular system
that has minimum impact on the
environment. With this idea, the
central facilities like a swimming
pool, spa facilities and a health
centre are buried into the hills. Other
activities include wood chopping,
mountain biking, hiking, canoeing
and many other outdoor events.
Christian Müller has also been a
name associated with many awards
like ‘GREEN GOOD DESIGN’ Award
in Chicago, Dublin, Athens in 2010,
Nomination for ‘Swiss Art Awards’,
in Best Architect category in 2003,
Top Talent by Wallpaper in 2001,
‘Bathroom Design Award’, Category,
Utrecht in 1998, iF Product Design
Award, Hannover, 1998, etc. Besides
the honors and awards, Müller also
actively participates in teaching
and academics as a Lecturer
and in panel discussion at Cairo
University, Faculty of Engineering,
Egypt, in 2011, as a Critic in final
reviews at Berlage Institute in 2010,
as a Lecturer at Chandigarh College
of Architecture in 2009 and ArtEZ
Academy in 2007, as a Guest critic
at Delft University of Technology in
2001, and as a Lecturer at renowned
Harvard University Graduate School
of Design in 1994, etc.
Where the concept the skyscrapers
may seem a long wait for the
future for Nepal, the use of
indigenous materials and local
architecture prevails significantly.
The Alpine architecture has similar
characteristics to architecture of
Himalayan regions in Nepal. Both the
places are rural, in high altitudes of
their respective countries and have
limited resources but great potential
for promising projects. Both practices
and success of architecture in these
places greatly depend on their
functioning and both incorporate the
usage of local resources, building
materials, construction technology,
and traditional (building) facilities.
Müller further adds that the
professionals need to work with
same approach in both places to
achieve specific desired results.
Therefore, the works of Christian
Müller can be inspiring for Nepalese
tourism projects and developments
in terms of design, management
and promotion.
Architecture is a response to the
environment. If it fails to preserve
essence of nature then despite the
aesthetics or luxury it beholds, it fails.
Architecture is bound to sustain with
nature and, therefore, a functioning
sustainable architectural practice
is both the responsibility and the
demand of time. •
REFERENCES:
Müller, Christian,
Personal Interview, Kathmandu,
May 18 2012
www.christian-muller.com
www.archrecord.construction.com
May - June 2012
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spacesnepal.com