MORE than architecture

We develop and implement radically eco-friendly construction projects in Switzerland and Europe.

Through systematic planning, the use of natural materials, and high energy efficiency, we create residential, office, and educational buildings that are environmentally sound and add value over the long term.

Valley Architects

ARCHITEKTURBÜRO
from the RHEINTAL
the Silicon valley
of sustainable construction

  • The house as an energy supplier

    Our PlusEnergy apartment buildings consume less energy than they generate. This is achieved through high insulation values and architectural measures.

    The development of PlusEnergy houses offers not only ecological but also economic advantages. Valley Architekten pursues innovative approaches with as little building technology as possible.

    Minergie P / KfW 40 is a matter of course for us and we fulfill the eligibility criteria

    • 3-4% Higher real estate valuation
      See current study by Wüest & Partner

    • 1-x% from PlusEnergy:
      Increase in net rental income due to very low ancillary costs and ZEV income

    • 1% funding of milton.earth from CO2 certificates from biogenic building materials

    • 1 - 15% subsidy Minergie P (CH) or KfW 40 (DE: 37500 Euro / Whg)

  • High standardization

    Not everything is reinvented.

    Thanks to building with a system (= high cost security) and a high degree of prefabrication, Valley Architekten guarantees fast, precise construction work that saves both time and money.

    VA usually acts as a general planner, also as a technical contractor on request.

  • Valley Architects plan and implement extensions systematically and efficiently.


    We pursue the goal of sustainably preserving existing buildings, modernizing them in line with the times and optimizing their energy efficiency.


    This makes investments worthwhile, preserves the value of the property and ensures long-term profitability.

Plus energy how?

Our approach is to construct wooden buildings using the Openly building system that actively help reduce CO₂ emissions, both during construction and throughout their operational life.


We create buildings that blend into their surroundings through their beauty and durability and retain their value for generations to come.

  • VA's focus is on the design of PlusEnergy apartment buildings, office and educational buildings.

    Gauthier Jonville and his team of architects have implemented a consistent timber construction philosophy in the planning and realization of the project.

    The basis is the OPENLY building systemcombined with largely biogenic building materials.

  • Only Denmark has a legal target value of 6kg/m2 by 2029. VA buildings are already aiming for this level today, which the Valley Widnau project impressively demonstrates.

    Thanks to carbon capturing in biogenic building materials such as wood, hemp and straw, VA buildings can achieve climate neutrality if desired.

    Zero emissions during operation

    We design buildings that produce no CO₂ emissions during daily operation thanks to advanced energy, battery and resource systems. We currently still use the local power grid as "seasonal storage".

  • Thanks to the use of mostly biogenic building materials, VA buildings have a particularly good building ecology.

    By means of hemp insulation and a diffusion-open wall structure, e.g. in a kindergarten, an excellent indoor climate is created.

    Would you like to experience it for yourself? Test-sleep one night in one of these houses.

  • Timber construction and sustainable building go hand in hand with the common belief that construction costs are significantly more expensive.

    VA buildings have a high level of cost certainty thanks to the Openly construction system. We are aiming for construction costs of EUR/CHF 3000 per m2 of gross floor area.

    It should be noted that the substance of the buildings is somewhat more expensive than conventional buildings, but on the other hand there are no costs for expensive and maintenance-intensive building services installations and planner fees (not everything is reinvented every time).

    Furthermore, CO2 certificates for biogenic building materials help with monetization. It goes without saying that VA buildings also meet the highest QNG eligibility criteria.

    Industrial building systems such as Gropyus or Nokera, whose planning we can also take over, are an alternative for a further significant cost reduction with timber construction. (Target costs of 2000 Euro / m2 GFA)

  • VA timber constructions are based on a modular screw and plug-in system that guarantees maximum circularity.

    The connection system of detachable and pluggable components enables complete circulation and a wide range of subsequent reuse.

Valley Architekten firmly believes that the transformation of the construction industry cannot be achieved by architects alone.

  • Pursuing both cooperative and competitive goals together

    We are happy to enter into architectural partnerships and joint ventures to successfully realize innovative and holistic solutions for environmentally friendly construction. Especially in the area of schools and kindergartens.

    The common goal is to combine local planning & visionary design with sustainable timber construction expertise and ecological building methods.

  • OPENLY AG usually acts as general planner, Valley Architects take care of the architecture. Together with our network of specialist planners, we deliver integrated building concepts and do not reinvent everything every time.

  • Valley Architektur AG is a spin-off of:

    OPENLY AG
    The experts for building biology systems and energy management

    With the Openly building system creates environmentally friendly and energy-efficient solutions that make buildings both ecologically and economically sustainable and is openly available to all architectural firms and planners worldwide.

    Schöb AG
    With over 75 years of experience in sustainable timber construction and a high degree of prefabrication, the carpentry Schöb AG with around 100 employees, enables fast, precise construction with cost certainty. Their expertise in the field of sustainable construction is a key component of their business success.

ProJeCTS

Our focus is on the design of residential, office and educational buildings. Together with our partners, we assume ecological and economic responsibility as general planners.

  • PATH

    Buchs Apartment Building 38, Unit I, 2028

    Click Here

  • OPENLY

    MFH Widnau, SG | 2024

  • Lauterach competition I 3rd place I 2025

    CHILDREN'S HOUSE

    Lauterach competition I 3rd place I 2025

    Click Here

  • SHEET

    Investment Property: 10 Apartments | 2026

  • UNDERVAZ

    MFH Untervaz, GR | 2022

Contact us

Expertise in wood-frame construction for multi-family homes, yield-optimized building, and climate efficiency—all in one. Designing together is your advantage in architecture.

CEO & LEAD ARCHITECT

Gauthier Jonville

Valley Architekten AG
Büchelstrasse 5
9443 Widnau SG, Switzerland

+41 78 330 13 04

gauthier.jonville@valley-architects.com

SHAPING THE FUTURE TOGETHER

Sustainable and cost-effective—is that really possible?

We would be happy to give you an insight into our system. What we do follows clear, standardized processes that take the guesswork out of planning and building.

Good architecture has a positive effect on health.

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