This Sleek Austrian Home Turns Into a Cozy Light Box at Night
Named House With Gable, the 1,680-square-foot home has been beautifully designed by Austria–based studio mia2/ARCHITEKTUR. Constructed predominantly with native timber, a concrete foundation, and expansive glass windows, the modern dwelling also features a massive, eye-catching gable roof.
"The solid timber house, with its precisely chosen elements, is simple and complex at once," states Gunar Wilhelm, one of the lead architects at the firm. "Simplicity comes from the clear structure and proportion of the base, ground floor, and roof. Complexity comes from spatial variety."
The home's modern design has been guided by strong geometrical shapes and clean lines.
"Since the beginning, the focus has been on a highly ecological and biological quality," Wilhelm continues. "With volume and land usage being limited, the house is built from wood and isolated with cellulose. Although there were modest funds, with the help of a simple construction and a minimalistic range of materials, maximum quality and comfort has been achieved."
A staircase connects the dining area and kitchen on the ground floor to the bedroom on the upper level.
The house’s distinguishing feature is its oversized gable roof that has a simple circle in the middle to bring in more light.
The massive windows that frame tranquil alpine views have been made from dual-lacquered laminated glass.
Though built on a small budget, the team has crafted the home to be ecologically sound.
The black roof balances upon its rectangular base of light pinewood, creating a dramatic contrast between dark and light.
From the kitchen and dining area, you can see the double-height void above the spaces.
A basic material of pale timber walls, polished concrete floors, and large expanses of glass work together to create a calm, light aesthetic.
The lower floor is built at a high section of the slope—about 1.65 feet below the ground—to create a living area that’s embedded within the terrain.
The layout includes an interesting interplay of levels.
The different levels act as a topographic map to guide one through the common areas.
Contained within this gabled-roof section are the bedrooms and bathrooms, which look out to stunning views of the mountains.
The home has warm interiors throughout and boasts a minimalist, cabin-like aesthetic.
In summer, the living area is surrounded by grass that covers the terrain. Yet, once winter comes, this same area appears to be nestled within a blanket of snow.
At night, the circular window glows like the moon and illuminates the lower floors much like a light box.
House With Gable Sectional Drawings
House With Gable Floor Plan Drawings
Project Credits:
Architecture: mia2/ARCHITEKTUR / @mia2_architektur
Builder: Roland Kretschmer, Windischgarsten / Alpe, Fohnsdorf/Styria
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