Design
 
The Beiser family wished to convert their single-family house into a home for two generations. The 100 sqm extension is equally distributed between the grandparent's ground floor space and the younger generation's upper floor dwelling. 
The family's desire for a special and unique atmosphere inspired to generate a loft-like feeling in the whole house. Following this concept, we designed a rotated pitched roof of sorts which hinges on the existing building. The resulting gap between old and new directs sunlight into the west-facing living room, illuminating the space naturally. The new west façade tilts outwards ever so slightly and a soft ridge, inspired by a traditional pitched roof, softly extends down the façade; the outside wall mimics a roof and offers its own take on loft-like living to the interior space.
The indoor conveys coziness, constantly yet only subtly diverging from a classic box-atmosphere. The façade's ridges are minimal and unimposing, their subliminal hints infusing the home with a special ambience.
The two-family home is an introverted building. Carefully designed openings provide vistas of the surrounding mountain landscape and the church spire, the rest of the façade is closed off to the outside, safekeeping the family's privacy.
Everyday life in the Beiser household revolves around the family; naturally this needed to influence the design of their living space. The importance of privacy is emphasised by slightly offsetting the façade from the ground, which additionally elevates the home from the surrounding flood area. A carefully considered point of contact between the building's skin and the ground establishes a connection with the environment, communicating relation, but preserving the house's autonomy.
Both generations' individual spaces can be accessed separately to afford due privacy to the grandparents and the young family.

Basic data
Project: Conversion and extension family home
Client: The Beiser family
Location: Hatting, Austria
Area: +100 sqm
Completion period: 2009