architects collective: leeb fruit orchard

leeb fruit orchard

austrian architecture firm architects collective have designed leeb fruit orchard. this new production facility consists of a large main shed with cold storage and a fruit shop with adjoining spaces that have been constructed in a ‘passive house’ standard with self-supporting prefabricated wall and roof elements. the structure took four months to build.

the main shed consists of a construction with prefabricated insulated wooden box frames and is not heated. the building’s facade is made of OSB (oriented strand board) panels which have been varnished in brown and green. two 5 x 6 m sliding doors transform the building from a closed wooden box into a complex architectural composition, revealing views into the building and shop. this arrangement is reminiscent of a market stall.

advertising banners are used as awnings protecting the interior from overheating

for clients vera and albert leeb, the planning, construction and maintenance of the building needed to address environmental and sustainable aspects. the structure is primarily made using renewable and recycled materials, along with up cycled products for furniture.

the fruit shop faces the main street with a continuous panorama window with triple-panel glass facing southwest. it is shaded by several large folding aluminum frames covered by used advertising banners protecting the interior from overheating in the summer. old bicycle inner tubes have been converted into spherical ceiling lights, used laminated woodpanels have been re-purposed into shelves and cupboards, and the sales desk has been covered with used printer plates. refurbished concrete vineyard posts are used for the parking lot and other outdoor areas as pavement material allowing rainwater percolate. the rainwater of the roof is caught in two evaporation basins that are incorporated into the surrounding landscape.

advertising banners are used as awnings protecting the interior from overheating