The x Architekten has completed a modern house design in Ebelsberg, Austria. Their client was Mrs. and Mr. Seebacher who has a building which exist since 1920, located in an beautifully surrounded garden landscape. Their client asked for help to create more space and living quality which was to be realized through revitalization and extension, by adapting the house to modern energy standards.
Located in a rural settlement area on the southern border of the city Linz, the house is a part of residential area containing family houses which have garden slowly became part of the urban area. X Architekten saw this as an opportunity for the additional extension of the family homes. The property including a house, a garden and an older stock of trees lies on a slightly inclined slope. The slope side is important here as it divides the property into two levels. The resulting difference in floor levels is balanced out by the existing building as well as the extension.
The architect saw a common “steps of transition” from the public to the private sphere as follows: coming home to rural outdoor areas of the city, driving towards the house, parking and getting out of the car, entering the house.
The keywords of spatioal sequences which the architect drew from the sequences were the street, the forecourt, the garage, the staircase, the living room. Based on this, the words “Interior and Exterior” were linked by a unique coherent surface as a synonym for “Being at home and coming home” when building the extension of the existing building.
Implementing the idea, the architect simulated the process by folding and cutting the Cortel steel panel which links the public and private area to become a seamless entity. The driveway becomes the living area, which becomes the supporting ceiling, and which then in turn becomes the terrace, the ceiling, the living area and the exit, and in the end, everything is seamless.
Corten steel surface is used to bring the extension of the living area. This enabled the residents to feel more space and views. Its permanent auburn patina emphasises the steel as a carrying material which imposes structure. Compared with the strength of the steel, the glass panels appear to be transparent and light.
Via. Photography by Max Nirnberger
