House by the lake
© Marc Lins
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrandProduct Name
GlazierGlas Langle
Drywall InstallationKurzemann
Aluminium WindowsManahl
Solar ProtectionMarkus Berhold
Fire placePfister & Schnetzer DieOfenbauer
kitchenPlan & Raum

Product Spec Sheet
Glazier
Drywall Installation
Aluminium Windows
by Manahl
Solar Protection
kitchen

House by the lake

Marte.Marte Architects as Architects

A group of middle-class houses, mainly built in the first half of the 20th century, are located above the Herz-Jesu church at the foot of the prominent Pfänder mountainside in Bregenz. The size of the house blends in with the other sporadic, villa-like houses, and the compact, square exposed concrete structure has identical facades on all sides, except for the west side of the house facing the lake.


Owing to the steep slope of the property, two of the four levels are cut into the hillside. Users coming home by bicycle or car enter the house by the driveway, which is a little below road level, and then disappear into a spacious, multi-functional room. Access to the elevator is available on this level, which means that the house is barrier-free. Visitors arriving on foot reach the front door by climbing the stairs on the north side. A granny flat on this level offers users a variety of options for the future, which can be used for now as an office or a den, including a view of the lake while exercising or sitting in the sauna.


A central staircase tower leads up to the bedroom level and above it the actual beletage greets visitors with a breathtaking 360° view. A real panorama opens up to users between balcony and porch roof, capturing the atmosphere of the lake and the sky, putting the city at the users’ feet and bringing the mountain right into the house. The sheltering gesture of the two hat-like brims, above and below, is balanced spatially by the extra height of the room. Together they create a sense of intimacy and a feeling of safety, although the room is also very transparent. The horizontal matte windows focus and capture the eye and curtains on all four sides provide absolute privacy at night.


A walkway on the slope side provides access to the outdoors. Placing the structure on the street has resulted in a large sloping yard to the southeast. This runs along a steep flight of stairs at the edge of the property, which ensures public thoroughfare through the area. This building with its idiosyncratic combination of distinctive style and wit seems homogeneous and hermetic to those on the outside, while at the same time interacting with its surroundings in a very subtle and deliberate way.

Project Spotlight
Product Spotlight
News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo
28 Mar 2024 News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo

Global transdisciplinary architecture and design practice Snøhetta has designed a new entranc... More

10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete
27 Mar 2024 Specification
10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete

Precast concrete is made by casting concrete in a reusable mold. These molds are made of various mat... More

Sameep Padora and Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India
26 Mar 2024 News
Sameep Padora & Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India

Mumbai-based Sameep Padora & Associates (sP+a) has completed Hampi Art Labs in Toranagallu, a vi... More

Introducing Partner Thermory AS
26 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Thermory AS

Thermory AS offers a diverse product range that includes durable exterior cladding, decking, interio... More

Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality
25 Mar 2024 News
Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality

Brooklyn Tower, standing an impressive ninety-three stories tall with a unique neo-deco crown, is al... More

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury
25 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright have been announced as Archello Awards 202... More

Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon
22 Mar 2024 News
Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon

The Eugénie Brazier school project in Lyon, France, undertaken by regional architecture studi... More

Detail: Pleated facade geometry of Bonfiglioli HQ by Peter Pichler Architecture
21 Mar 2024 Detail
Detail: Pleated facade geometry of Bonfiglioli HQ by Peter Pichler Architecture

Designed by Peter Pichler Architecture, the new Bonfiglioli Headquarters is located in Calderara di... More