The “Piccolo” terraced houses in Safenwil, Switzerland, are an innovative residential project that reflects the progressive, minimalist lifestyle of tiny houses. The compact terraced houses were given a durable facade made of WPC from NATURinFORM. The CREATIVE profiles in amber brown are not only aesthetically pleasing but also offer high resistance to weather influences. Overall, the sustainable material suits a lifestyle that is reduced to the essentials.
“Piccolo” terraced houses, Safenwil (CH)
Facade
CREATIVE XL and XXL in amber brown
Type of construction
New building
Client
Real Estate Claudio Sperduto AG, Safenwil (CH)
Architect
Schöni+Suter Architektur GmbH, Safenwil (CH)
Processor
Burgherr Moosersäge AG, Hintermoos (CH)
Building materials trade
Primewood.ch GmbH, Safenwil (CH)

On a plot of around 1,000 square metres on the outskirts of a forest in Safenwil in the canton of Aargau, an innovative living concept – planned by architects Schöni + Suter Architektur – was realised. Construction was completed in February 2023. Embedded in vast local recreation areas, the location allows for active recreational activities in nature.
Real Estate Claudio Sperduto AG developed a modern, sustainable residential project to replace an outdated existing building. The units, larger than tiny houses but smaller than conventional terraced houses, were designed under the project name “Piccolo” – inspired by the Italian word for “small”. The focus was on creating a functional and innovative form of living based on the maxim “less stuff, more freedom”. At the centre of the minimalist architecture is the desire for slowing down and well-being. True to this motto, the houses blend harmoniously into the picturesque, tranquil surroundings. The result is four rental units close to nature as a flexible housing arrangement for singles, couples, or senior citizens, each with its own small garden.
Tiny houses called “Piccolo”
The concept of tiny houses originated in the USA. The trend towards minimalist houses started there in the late 20th century. With a maximum of 37 square metres of living space and only one level, the definition of such a house was even enshrined in law. In Germany, we define a tiny house as less than 50 square metres. Those who opt for a tiny house are often also interested in a sustainable lifestyle. The four terraced houses in Safenwil called “Piccolo”, each with three and a half rooms on two levels and around 75 square metres of living space, are therefore not tiny houses in the narrower sense. However, their optimised small-scale architecture definitely appeals to the target group of tenants who want to surround themselves with fewer things in a smaller living space, appreciate less maintenance, aim to reduce energy costs, and, at the same time, do not want to give up the feeling of having a home of their own. The compact, cleverly planned floor plan layout accommodates a bedroom, bathroom, and study on the upper floor. At ground level, there is an open-plan living and kitchen area, as well as a cloakroom, a guest bathroom, and a utility room. Large windows maximise natural light, while a roofed outdoor seating area allows the living area to be extended outside. A separate, detached garden shed with barbecue area screens the entrance area and creates additional private outdoor space as well as a better quality of life.
WPC façade reflects natural construction method
The uniform façade of all building components is particularly striking in this residential complex. It is designed as a rear-ventilated façade with WPC profiles from NATURinFORM. This was a deliberate choice. Principal and property developer Claudio Sperduto, owner of Real Estate Claudio Sperduto AG, learned about the material back in 2020 from the Safenwil local crafts and trade association. “I liked the façade profiles straight away and knew immediately that if I ever built, I would use this material,” reports the real estate agent. They blend into the Swiss landscape and account for the responsibility for nature and the environment. Architect Dieter Schöni already had experience with WPC for outdoor floor coverings. “I love wood, but not outdoors,” is his clear opinion – especially when it comes to durability and maintenance. “It was clear that the façade should reflect the surroundings being so close to the edge of the forest. But ultimately, this is also an investment property where attractiveness and profitability should not stand in the way of each other,” he elaborates.
Highly economical, maximally attractive
The NATURinFORM WPC CREATIVE profiles in amber brown were used on the house façades. Their advantage: They are weather-resistant, hardly susceptible to dirt, and therefore require very little care and maintenance. The profiles can be laid horizontally or vertically. They are available in different profile sizes and in four colours. Special colours are available for areas of over 30 square metres. Due to the high proportion of wood, the profiles undergo a natural optical maturing process in terms of colour. The desired natural matt shade is only achieved after full weathering. However, this colour then remains constant while natural wood material continues to fade.
Processing by experienced timber construction professionals
The brick houses and the wood frame construction garden compartments, tool sheds, and carports were given a uniform cladding with the façade profiles. They first dowelled wooden battens in place to attach the profiles and inserted insulation between the bricks and battens. The installer, Hans Burgherr, and his team then attached the solid CREATIVE XL WPC profiles in amber brown as weather protection. He also already had experience with installing WPC products.
The installers used NATURinFORM’s mounting adapters to attach the façade. Two widths of CREATIVE profiles were used. While the profile with a height of 99 mm (XL) was used for the façade, Hans Burgherr opted for the XXL design (148 mm) for the wider door jambs so that only two profiles had to be used instead of three.
One year after completion, client Claudio Sperduto is still more than satisfied: “I liked the material at first sight. I knew right away that if I built here, I would only use this product. I live in the neighbourhood myself and pass this area almost every day. And now it looks exactly as I imagined it would.” The units were let within three weeks. In contrast to Claudio Sperduto’s original idea of offering low-maintenance flats for older couples on the market, the tenants are singles and couples of different ages.
Sustainability and recyclability
Another advantage of WPC products from NATURinFORM is the high wood content, with a wood-to-polymer ratio of approx. 70 to 30 per cent. They are also 100 % recyclable. With their own recycling system, the “Re-Form Recyclingbox”, the company helps to keep the valuable raw materials in the material cycle for more than 600 years. Any leftover pieces or dismantled material can be collected in the “Re-Form Recycling Box”, which is delivered to the construction site free of charge. At the end of construction or when the box is full, the leftover material is collected for recycling at the production plant in Redwitz a. d. Rodach in northern Bavaria.
NATURinFORM manufactures its products strictly according to ecological principles: They only process PEFC-certified wood fibres from sustainable forestry that are sourced from the wood processing industry. The organic component of the composite material is an environmentally friendly polymer. NATURinFORM products are already coloured at the factory. They are, therefore, not varnished or oiled and, unlike conventional wood, no environmentally harmful chemicals need to be used for maintenance. Clear water is sufficient for cleaning. No microplastics are washed out.
NATURinFORM offers products for DGNB-certified construction. All NATURinFORM decking boards and façade profiles are covered by Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) drawn up in accordance with international standards. All products are subjected to continuous quality controls and load tests to ensure consistent immaculate and first-class wood-based material quality.
Download: Press release
Product information: CREATIVE