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Architects: becker architekten
- Year: 2007
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Photographs:Courtesy of becker architekten
Text description provided by the architects. A geothermal heat pump feeds a radiant heating system, producing large heat exchange surfaces in all rooms A central oven block provides heat to the upper level
Natural and traditional woods from the region were thoughtfully used for external walls, staircases and timbering as well as for internal walls, roof construction, insulation, windows, flooring and furnishings The building utilized local craftspeople and builders only, minimizing transportation distances and resources
Located in the foothills of the Alps, this residence is a modern interpretation of a local barn. Designed to be suitable for both living and working, it offers intense exposure to nature, daylight and beautiful views, as well as generous rooms within a flexible plan. A staircase divides the building vertically, separating the garage and offices from the living areas. Upstairs, the rooms are arranged openly around a concrete core that is the static backbone of the building. This concrete core contains, among other things, a furnace, the bathroom, lavatories and a kitchenette. The more private living areas, which include a bedroom, bathroom and studies, are located downstairs and mimic a cellular design.
The southward facing panoramic windows are parallel to the hillside’s incline, creating a spacious, trapezoidal loggia on both levels. Due to flexible sliding window shutters, the house can be made completely open or closed, allowing the owners to control the level of light and shadow inside as well as providing an appropriate weather shield for wind and snow. The exterior façades are made of traditional white fir, which will grow increasingly grey over time to match the aluminium sheet metal of the roof. In constructing the residence, the architects added regional value by using natural and traditional materials, minimizing transportation distances and using local crafts people only. The aesthetically beautiful residence was built according to the low-energy-house standards in Germany.
