Merged with the landscape

Merged with the landscape

In one of the most beautiful parts of South Tyrol, right at the bottom of the Mendel Pass, lies the municipality of Eppan surrounded the vineyards of Überetsch. To the west, the majestic Gantkofel mountain towers over the verdant landscape; to the east, the view extends as far as Bolzano, and in good weather, the snow-covered Dolomite peaks are also visible. It is in these surroundings that the Bolzano architectural agency monovolume created a remarkable residential building that effortlessly blends in with the beauty of the natural environment while simultaneously making a bold statement of its own.

Electrical planning & KNX

Elektro Haller

http://www.elektro-haller.com/

Photography

Giovanni De Sandre

https://www.giovannidesandre.com/index

Location

Essen, Germany

Two homes in one

The clients aspired to unite two separate living units in one building in perfect harmony – one for their own family, one for their parents. This required demolition of the previous building, with only the basement with a garage and cellars being retained. The architects used a clever plinth principle to build up on it: two separate residential units, divided by a wide passageway, and reunited by a passage spanning them to form the upper floor. While the apartments themselves grant the greatest possible privacy, the occupants share the basement and the garden – and stunning views in three directions.

Organic patterning: the shading elements with a bronze finish are reminiscent of vines (photo: Giovanni de Sandre)

Committed to tradition

While the orthogonal form and sober minimalism of the building appear contemporary, other features leave no doubt that it is firmly rooted in South Tyrol. The base of the building was clad with the porphyry from Montiggl typically found locally, which was also used to pave the passageway. By contrast, the coated aluminium panels that characterise the upper floor are inspired by the vineyards in the immediate vicinity of the house. A particular highlight is that the shading elements can be moved to provide individual perspectives or privacy screens, a function that can be controlled digitally using a smartphone.

A place in the sun: loggias offer retreats with a view (Photo: Giovanni de Sandre)

State-of-the-art mod-cons

The rooms inside the house also effortlessly master the balancing act between traditional materials and pioneering functionality. Staircases made of untreated oak connect the floors, and the floorboards exude the warmth and naturalness of wood, both in the living rooms on the ground floor and in the bedrooms above. At the same time, advanced building technology provides every convenience imaginable. The entire building can be controlled digitally as a smart building thanks to the Gira System 106 door intercom, the G1 room control unit and the Gira X1 Smart Home server. Not only the lighting and air conditioning, but also access can be controlled digitally. Visitors can even be admitted using a smartphone when no one is home. The remarkable building thereby artfully combines indoors and outdoors along with the past and the present.

Transparency is the key: a minimalist appearance, lots of glass and even more light. (Photo: Giovanni de Sandre)

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