Dietrich Untertrifaller

The design of this private home is determined by the topography of the hilly terrain with a north-to-south inclination and wonderful views. At the very top, the living floor floats above the meadow slope, framed on all sides by cantilevered terraces – open-air living space extensions, protected by the roof slab.

Located on a mountain overlooking Bregenz, House D′s open floorplans and generous glazing offer lake views across the city while preserving a “rural” atmosphere. The geometric shape of the house, combined with the architect′s decision to construct with concrete and wood, creates a powerful building that seems to blend into the surrounding landscape.

Two stories of exposed concrete carry the wooden residential floor projecting above. Because only from the very top you can enjoy a clear view of Bregenz’s local mountain, the Pfänder, to the east and Lake Constance to the west.

The reduced material range is delicately varied: exposed concrete surfaces with board structure and smooth, oak and silver fir is used according to atmospheric effect. For the living quarters and the timber-based construction elements which include doors, windows and floors, oak was used.

House D gives the answer on how urban living can be combined with rural surrounding and privacy with representation: