What could match the massive presence of Marte‘s concrete home, this raw, stonymaterial, this self-contained unit? Oxidizing steel: just as raw, just as authentic in itsexpression and its properties. The interior impression remains the same – wood surfaces,warm colors, fine pores. The new exterior structure, on the other hand, is masculine,striving skywards, rising up from the surrounding landscape like the neighboring peartree. That behind the massive exterior lies a building of lightweight materials may beinspired by the tale of the Trojan horse. A new space opens up between the twobuildings, complemented by an in-ground pool – uncompromising, hard, less sensible,but therefore all the more magical, idiosyncratic, and sensuous. Oxidizing steel on thewalls and bottom, encased like in a suit of armor. The tower also appears this way withits steel ventilation flaps to the north and south and fixed glazing to the east. Rapunzel,Rapunzel…. Through the library, down a few steps into the separate kitchen, and thenthrough the dining room, facing the pool, the little princesses can climb the newel stairsto their bedrooms. There, they are presented with a view, on the one hand, of theirparents’ protective house and, on the other, the nearby scenic forest. The spatialperspective mirrors this interplay of freedom and guidance, becoming a symbol of theirpossibilities for development within the family.
The whole structure seems so sealed off, but in terms of use, it not only offers anastonishing amount of free space, but also conveys respect and draws boundaries. Thismakes it possible to live together in a relatively small space and at the same timeprovides each person with opportunities for participation and private space. What anunparalleled atmosphere for the girls. If it is true that the first few years of life shape ourfuture spatial desires, then these girls will have had a very valuable personal experiencethat their future Prince Charmings will probably not have had: a life in manifestappreciation.
(Marina Hämmerle)
