In Transition.

This project is characterized by its high standards of design and materiality. The client wanted a modern, timeless aesthetic with straight lines and no unnecessary flourishes.

This resulted in the guiding idea of staging the existing building as a white monolith and integrating the new building into the existing structure by insertion. At the same time, the facade of the existing building was modernized and visually adapted to the new building to create a uniform appearance. Large glass surfaces and outdoor areas to the south and east allow the residents to enjoy the unobstructed view and create a harmonious connection to the surrounding landscape.

By extending the existing building, two or three generations can now find their place in the house. There is a sense of living together under one roof, yet the privacy of each party is ensured by separating them floor by floor: The client’s parents inhabit the upper floor, while the young family uses the lower floor. The entrances are located on the east and west sides of the house respectively, further supporting the separation of the areas.

The clients’ wish for a wind-protected outdoor area was met by adapting the structure of the new building accordingly. An incision in the volume forms a niche with sufficient space for seating. This creates a break-up of the building structure and the facade of the building itself acts as a windbreak The atrium, that is located in this area, allows depending on the point of view either views of nature or insights into the interior of the house. The wooden framing conveys a feeling of security. The installed sliding elements in the atrium integrate the outdoor space into the interior, thus blurring the spatial boundaries.

To minimize the footprint of the building, the car parking spaces, various ancillary rooms and the main entrance of the new building were situated in the basement. This type of access could be realized by installing a ramp. A black steel staircase leads from the entrance to the ground floor. Large glass surfaces provide this area with a bright and light-flooded atmosphere. Moreover, the staircase not only serves as a vertical access, but also creates a special play of light together with the incident sunlight, thus becoming a visual highlight.

When ascending the stairs, the deliberately chosen alignments in the building become perceptible, as they allow views outside to the atrium and thus create a visual connection between the inside and outside. A bush-hammered exposed concrete wall that runs through the floors in the stairway acts as an aesthetic element and gives the project a special architectural presence. The high air space in the stair area creates a generous sense of space. In order to carry this into the living area as well, the entire new building was implemented with a ceiling height of approximately three meters.

Multiple open spaces in the interior create additional flexibility and comfort. The room boundaries inside are deliberately blurred to create a seamless connection between the different areas.

Despite the airy spatial concept, the house offers separate areas for children and parents. For example, the open-plan master bedroom features a walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom.

This project impressively demonstrates how versatile and modern building in existing structures can be.


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