Context and Concept
Perched at around 1,600 meters above sea level in the tranquil heights of Lüsen, the Herolerhof residential project is conceived less as an object and more as a stance: a gesture of respect for place, history, and nature.The architecture avoids contrast, seeking instead a subtle continuation of the familiar. Inspired by the traditional farmhouses of the Eisack Valley, the building presents a clear, articulated form: a white-plastered ground floor, larch-clad upper levels, and classic pitched roofs with dark coverings. Contemporary touches - frameless glazing, precise metal railings, and refined details - enhance rather than dominate, merging old and new into a harmonious whole.
Integration with Landscape
The house nestles gently into the sloping terrain, with sculpted meadows making it appear as though it grows naturally from the land. The compact ground floor surrounds a sheltered inner courtyard - a quiet focal point for arrival, social interaction, and everyday life. Access to the apartments is organized via pathways and an elevator, while an adjacent farm shop with a tasting room opens the agricultural life outward, sharing stories of seasonal work and local products.
Function and Spatial Organization
The basement houses a garage, bicycle storage, technical and storage rooms, and agricultural spaces - robust and discreetly integrated into the topography. Above, two private family apartments and guest holiday units unfold across the ground and upper floors. The upper level rises as two clearly separated pitched-roof volumes, recalling the arrangement of traditional farm structures while creating generous terraces. Large glazing connects interiors with the landscape, allowing mountains, forests, and sky to become part of daily living. The floor plans balance communal spaces for cooking, dining, and living with quiet private areas, complemented by functional rooms such as pantries, laundry, and dressing rooms.
Interior Design
Inside, restrained design continues: warm natural tones, high-quality materials, and a simple form language create an atmosphere of calm and comfort. Floors and surfaces in heart ash and white fir, soft gray lime plaster, natural linen and wool fabrics, and a precise quartz and Fenix kitchen block form a cohesive whole. Every element stands out through its simplicity, with spaces defined by light, views, and material presence - creating a home that soothes rather than showcases.
Sustainability
The building embodies autonomy and sustainability. Designed as a Climate House A, it is heated by a wood-chip system using resources from the property’s own forest. A rooftop photovoltaic system complements the concept, while all technical installations prioritize efficiency and residential comfort.
