Timber

On the loosely built-up outskirts of the Lake Constance community of Lochau, we have built a modern residential quarter. In close cooperation with the municipality, the design advisory board and the neighbours, we achieved a careful and well thought-out densification. Spread over four buildings, we created 20 light-flooded flats with generous outdoor spaces. Albrecht I. Schnabel Different typologies provide a high-quality home for singles, couples and families. Built in sustainable timber construction, the buildings blend harmoniously into the existing residential area on Lake Constance. All flats are lit on at least two sides, and on the top floors even on three sides. The common access platforms covers an inner courtyard which, like... More

  Dikes protect the Dutch country side from flooding. On top of a dike a little house was built in the 1950s. It fell into disrepair and was sold. The new owners asked Mirck Architecture to design a new dike house, using the beautiful views, daylight, and wood. Mirck proposes to open out the living space to the north, by cracking the dike house volume away from the dike, into the polder landscape. Katja Effting   The outer corner of the crack is fully glazed and brings in plenty of daylight into the large open space. The facades are also open to the best views in the north. The combination of the abundant natural light and the many views, creates a room-in-a-view: the sensation of being part of the landscape. Katja Efft... More

For some years a Sydney-based family had enjoyed their holidays in a tiny pre-fabricated house on the beachfront lot but had finally outgrown it. They wanted to improve the accommodation and take better advantage of the opportunities of the location and aspect while retaining a relaxed, simple pattern of inhabiting the site.The design response was to retain the open, exposed, and windswept nature of the site, and to allow the envelope of the house to provide privacy, security, and protection from the elements, literally the house as a fence. Prue Ruscoe Prue Ruscoe The desire for a modest and unassuming presentation to the street drove the idea of the house as an object which had weathered in place in the dunes. The slanted roof... More

This independent brewer-owned company is renowned for making inspired libations for all. Intending to create a sought-after destination to match their craft-brewing mastery, they enlisted our design team to create an engaging customer experience for their ultra-devoted fanbase, building excitement and anticipation on route to their new taproom. Caption Focusing on an immersive brand journey for the retail and front of house at the new 100,000 SQ FT brewery in Deerfield, we brought new life into a former mid-century publishing company building. An amalgamation of the existing space through adaptive reuse and a branded environment true to its identity, the company has taken root in its new home in Western MA. Caption Visitors are... More

The Kindergarten south of the village center defines the west side of the square. It opens itself to the play garden in the south, while a protecting wall shields the children from the heavy traffic of the parking lot. Two group rooms with dedicated coatrooms are situated along the central corridor of the ground floor. A robust framed construction shades the south-oriented glass façade. Creating a portal, it generously spans the access path and clearly links it to the kindergarten. Situated to the north are adjoining rooms, the office of the head of the kindergarten, a group room and an exercise room. The playrooms are paneled with birch plywood, which creates a warm-colored background for a lively and colorful crowd of children.... More

Stüben, a steep mountain plot above Dornbirn, offers views over the Vorarlberg Rhine Valley, the alpine landscape from the First to the Swiss mountains and in the northwest over Lake Constance. The house captures the panorama with its largely glazed living area on the top floor, and in its formal language, it creates references to the architecture of traditional farmhouses. Bruno Klomfar Bruno Klomfar The found topography largely determines the concept of the house. A narrow path leads between old pear trees to the entrance on the lower level. The basement and the sleeping floor above disappear mostly in the terrain. The two stories are solidly constructed and show themselves as exposed concrete plinth. The distinctive canti... More

The single-story, barrier-free building forms a courtyard and embraces the old pear tree forming a private protected zone in this residential area. Visitors are welcomed into generous open living spaces with differentiated views. Bedrooms and bathrooms are separated and form a more private zone within the building. An office and wellness area completes the courtyard to the west; the attached garage shields it to the east. Dietrich Untertrifaller Dietrich Untertrifaller Dietrich Untertrifaller Dietrich Untertrifaller Dietrich Untertrifaller Dietrich Untertrifaller   More

The house on the lake refers to the local boat and fishing houses and follows the tradition of rural construction by the water. Lightness, a low, wide roof structure and a strong emphasis on the horizontal determine the design. The timber construction, predominantly from local woods, is elevated to protect it from flood. The wooden porch surrounding the house widens to a terrace at the lakeside, completely covered by the steep saddleback roof. The vertical timber formwork of the facades is untreated, with wide glazing allowing generous views into the surroundings. Bruno Klomfar Bruno Klomfar Bruno Klomfar Bruno Klomfar Bruno Klomfar Bruno Klomfar Bruno Klomfar Dietrich Untertrifaller Dietrich Unter... More

The crystalline three-story structure covered in wood shingles confidently settles into the steep slope responding to the demanding topography and successfully avoiding constant problematic terrain changes. The building becomes an integral part of the wonderful alpine landscape. Thanks to the traditional, dignified façade, it perfectly blends into the soft landscape of the village. Dietrich Untertrifaller - Angela Lamprecht   Dietrich Untertrifaller - Angela Lamprecht The warm interior atmosphere is characterized by its full-surface paneling in white fir, adding to the overall coziness. The windows are set precisely and allow the guests to constantly experience the surrounding mountains and to connect to the special... More

On the edge of a densely built residential area in the Allgäu hills, we created a well-conceived wooden house for a variety of uses. The adjacent popular recreation and landscape conservation area prompted us to incorporate the surrounding nature into the design of the house. The new building follows the proportions of the desolate existing building from the 1960s. The staggered storey set back from the street communicates with the slope, whose original steepness we have restored. The restrained, horizontally structured architecture with a façade made of local wood blends harmoniously into the natural surroundings. Floor-to-ceiling glazing, visual axes and open living spaces that offer numerous views stage nature and bring it in... More

The planned multifunctional building “Rubina”, located on the former site of the Nibelungen barracks in Regensburg is a new educational and care centre for young people. The building houses a kindergarten, the energy education centre, offices for the energy agency and scientific rooms for  the MINT for Kids.programme The complex is divided into two square buildings. Surrounded by generous outdoor areas, they stand freely on a common platform and allow views into the greenery. David Matthiessen David Matthiessen The western structure accomodating the energy education centre is the more mature of the two buildings. Its simple horizontal structure and the exterior wooden glass facade convey objectivity and farsighte... More