Located in a small housing settlement that stretches around a small lake in its center, this building sits near – but not directly next – to the lake, closely surrounded by other small residential buildings, making it necessary to exploit the limited view to the lake, that is partly blocked by neighboring buildings, while at the same time creating a decent sense of privacy for the residents in a spatial composition that due to its limited footprint needs fluidity, openness and closely-knit interior and exterior spaces. The design therefore negotiates the complex contextual parameters, such as the building’s orientation and position in the field, its nearby neighbors, the limited view to the beautiful lake, on the one hand and on the other hand the inhabitants’ requirements for privacy, openness towards their outdoor spaces, connectedness to the lake, and their strong desire for open and bright spaces.

Fluent spaces, strategic transparencies, surprising views, vertical spaces and voids generate spatial complexity. Extensive glazing and sliding doors connect the multi-levelled living spaces with the balcony, the terrace, the adjacent remaining garden and the nearby lake. Minimized lightweight constructions, light wells, bright surfaces and white materials prevent a sense of constriction inside the tiny building and establish a spatial and atmospheric continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces.

The project has received the “gebaut 2017” award as one of the best buildings completed in vienna in 2017. Find all the prize winners here.

project: little sister in a dress – private residence in vienna.

address: braendstroemgasse, 1230 vienna (at). client: private.

date of completion: 09.2017.

project team: HOPPE architects – Robert Neumayr with Alexander Neversal and Robert Löffler.

consultants: kppk vienna.

photographs: hervé massard.

the volume develops on the maximum footprint of 35 m2. it contains an open living space, a cooking area, a bathroom block and a sleeping area with a skylight. the inclined front glass facade can be slid open completely to expand the living room into the exterior. from there a ramp – partly designed as a stair – leads through the site into the water, creating a 3-dimentional movement from the site’s back entrance to the river.

address: strandbad, 3400 klosterneuburg (at). client: family sas-zaloziecki. date of completion: 09.1999

project team: unsquare architects – bayer.hoppe.olbrich + neumayr. project architect: klaus olbrich

photographs: unsquare architects, adsy bernart.