Micro-Cosmos I

Straight ahead, the stairs lead down to the dining table, a glance left into the kitchen and right into the spacious living room, both arranged in corners. The kitchen is oriented to the east and the south, the living room to the west and south, such that the sun can brighten all rooms unimpeded and, depending on the time of day, we can follow its path. I step into the living room, the chimney is crackling, and outside I see the children. They are sledding. They have climbed up and ridden down that hill countless times; now, they are weary and head towards the garage’s side entrance to brush off snow next to the laundry room, to take off their shoes, and then proceed up yet another flight of stairs to the balcony and into their one, two, three rooms. Above the atrium that connects the upper and ground floors, I can usually hear them quietly laughing, speaking, singing, or quarrelling since their bedrooms are all adjacent. Philip is going up the stairs, through the long den, quickly descending further to our bedroom.

Again the view of the Alps, surrounded by landscape like a painting, the evening sun whitens the room with beautiful, warm light. The space spans the entire width of this floor.

He goes left into the dressing room, lays down his jacket and enters the bathroom. I, too, make my way through the den. It is comfortably arranged; this long room always invites me to lie down and lounge. I turn to the right, look into the full depth of the room, step across to the door at the far side; I open it, and light radiates towards me, once again I see the deep landscape all around – I am standing next to our house, in my studio.

Underneath me is the west terrace, protected from the weather. Here, I can be inspired, I can let my soul free and unwind. Pursue thoughts in peace, without daily life taking hold of me.

I shut the studio door behind me, Philip is already in the kitchen; he is probably hungry. I follow him left down the stairs and further into the kitchen. The table in the next room is set. But where are they? I hear soft pings and pongs, crack open the door to the basement and peep into the craft room, where the four are running around the ping-pong table. I go down quickly, see that Philip has already put away his ice hockey gear, and summon the four of them: Dinner!