Bregenz-based Bernardo Bader Architekten designed Haus Gapfohl as a solitary wood dwelling — a contemporary take on a traditional hut. The house sits on a sloping, south-facing terrace in an Austrian valley called Laternsertal. The compact structure is perched towards the upper boundary of its given plot to minimize the impact on the property and ensure it takes advantage of the sweeping mountain vista.
“The architectural concept of the original hut goes back to [Roman architect] Vitruvius and, as an idealized principle of the natural house, gained far-reaching impact in architectural theory of the 18th century, especially with [French architectural historian] Marc-Antoine Laugier,” says Bernardo Bader. He adds: “Building and constructing huts and the associated temporary and simple living has always fascinated me.” For the architect, it is about the location’s specificity and how a person interacts with their environment. Built at an altitude of 1,100 meters, Haus Gapfohl’s design is focused on the experience gained from its unique setting: “The rough nature, the view, the stars at night, or the forest animals running past,” says Bernardo Bader.
The alpine-like living space measures approximately 80 square meters (approx. 861 square feet) and is based on the concept of a “reduced living module” — promoting a simple lifestyle with the minimum amount of mainly wood furniture and an emphasis on life’s essential qualities. A narrow stairway ascends from the open-plan living space to a bedroom. The living space leads via a wide expanse of glazing onto a south-facing terrace.
Haus Gapfohl is built entirely from solid wood — a prefabricated wood construction with cross-laminated timber by Austrian company Dobler Holzbau. The outer skin consists of uncut larch boards in a variety of widths, “just as they come from the saw,” says Bernardo Bader. The deliberately coarse nature of the wood combined with the irregular arrangement of window openings creates a lively facade that preserves the unique qualities of the surrounding landscape.
Roof structure:
Dimensions
Constructed area: 99 square meters (1,066 square feet)
Usable area: 84 square meters (904 square feet)
Gross floor area: 126 square meters (1,356 square feet)
Volume: 566 cubic meters (19,988 cubic feet)
