x architekten: little black dress

‘little black dress’ by x architekten in gunskirchen, austria all images courtesy x architekten image © rupert asanger

austrian practice x architekten has sent us images of ‘little back dress’, a private residence for a young couple in a rural district of gunskirchen, austria. drawing from the local typology of the neighbouring farms, the design is a contemporary interpretation of the classic gable roof form to combine a house, a courtyard, and an outbuilding in one monolithic volume.

exterior view image © rupert asanger

situated on a 1000 m2 plot of hilly land, the structure graphically stands out with its asymmetrical profile and dark cladding material. a large square-shaped void has been excised out of the form, serving as a courtyard and passageway running though the core of the house’s footprint. finished in white wood, this spatial cavity establishes a graphic contrast in the singularly wrapped building.

street view image © rupert asanger

south elevation image © rupert asanger

view from the east of the plot image © rupert asanger

due to the poor soil condition of the site, the floor plates have been constructed in reinforced concrete in case of potential flooding. the interior of the main house is arranged in an open fashion with the ground floor accommodating the kitchen, living and dining space. featuring white spruce as the dominant material, the ceiling is rhythmically defined by parallel beams. the upper level features a second living area and bedroom and maintains the slope of the roof form to create angular and dynamic interior spaces.

interior view image © rupert asanger