Charged with the project for this vacation home in Bregenzerwald, the firm Architektur-SCHWEIGHOFER after analyzing the original dwelling immediately realized that its reuse and expansion was not economically feasible. With the goal of maintaining proportions, as well as form and orientation, in line with the surrounding buildings, the architects decided to completely rebuild the house on the foundations of the pre-existing one, ensuring a comfortable and adequate building to accommodate their clients' entire family
Height games and contrasts between introverted and extroverted spaces. Three-dimensional living in the Holiday House in Bregenzerwald
A vacation home in Bregenzerwald, Austria. Made of solid wood and completely rebuilt on the foundations of the pre-existing house, it offers a space that is warm and welcoming but also able to connect deeply with the landscape through the large windows
The decision to use solid wood offered structural and thermal advantages, in addition to the fact that it provided a warm and welcoming environment. Some vertical and horizontal elements of the structure were prefabricated following a rigorous design of the openings that were placed ad hoc to frame the most exciting views of the surrounding forest
The dwelling has only one possible access route because of its location: 70 steps to be taken from the adjacent road. To ensure a more suitable entrance, the building was moved 1.5 meters southward from the pre-existing one. The concrete base of the building extends into a small entrance plaza enclosed by a fountain to the north. Through the construction adapted to the slope of the lot, additional living space was created. The different levels also allow for a unique, three-dimensional living experience. The bathroom on the ground floor, for example, receives natural light through a glass slit under the living room staircase
Another important element of the design is the contrast between cozy introverted spaces and those that are more open to the outdoors: the rooms are intentionally small with low ceilings, perfect for privacy and intimacy. The kitchen, dining room, and living room, on the other hand, span multiple levels and can be opened to the landscape through a large sliding window. The change in heights makes the living space more intimate without losing the connection to the living area. And, as is normal for vacation homes in this part of the world, a large black steel fireplace towers in its center becoming the centerpiece of the living space
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