Einfamilienhaus Watzenegg

Contemporary urban living in a key-work of rational-modern construction in Vorarlberg

The building owners followed their passion for the style of this period in search for a new home for their family and in cooperation with raumhochrosen architects – Heike Schlauch and Robert Fabach – choose to adapt and renovate this classic as true to the original as possible.

The building was modernised according to ecological criteria and current technical standards.

The additional floorspace could be extended through the new concept.

Continuity of atmosphere and tectonics as restoration strategy

No “demonstrative contrast” of old and new: the original order of the formal expression and its materialisation have been maintained in the enlargement.

All constructions – original and additional – were made of beech wood.

The preservation of the spatial structure and the proportions partially reconstructed by photographs were essential to the concept.

A wooden body on concrete plates – protection and view

The single-storey wooden construction disguised with rough formwork

rests on only two cantilever beams, supported by four angles of exposed concrete which mark the extensively glazed entrance.

The view over the Rheintal and the lightness of the overhangs could be restored by the demolition of an addition from the 70ties.