‘aichinger house’ by hertl architekten in kronstorf, austria all images courtesy hertl architekten image © kurt hoerbst

austrian practice hertl architekten has sent us images of ‘aichinger house’, a multi-storey apartment building consisting of two flats in kronstorf. the structure, which once housed a restaurant, is treated to a textile skin which lends the building a light, curtain effect. by applying a material which is normally reserved for the indoors, the project explores the flexibility of facades and skins.

hertl architekten: aichinger house elevation image © kurt hoerbst

appearing almost metallic from a distance, the design wraps the whole exterior of the building in the light grey fabric, rendering the layout and form of the interior hidden from the outside viewer. partings in the facade correspond with the windows to allow daylight into the apartments. much like regular indoor curtains, the skin can be drawn closed to provide shade and diffusion of light.

during the night, the fabric provides a paper lantern effect, distributing the glow from the building to the exterior.

hertl architekten: aichinger house exterior view image © kurt hoerbst

hertl architekten: aichinger house (left) side entrance (right) detail of curtain facade images © kurt hoerbst

hertl architekten: aichinger house fabric pulled back in front of a window image © kurt hoerbst

hertl architekten: aichinger house interior views images © kurt hoerbst

hertl architekten: aichinger house during the evening image © kurt hoerbst

hertl architekten: aichinger house in context image © kurt hoerbst

hertl architekten: aichinger house site plan

hertl architekten: aichinger house floor plan

hertl architekten: aichinger house section