studio alfredo haberli's haussicht explores new possibilities for pre-fab

studio alfredo haberli has recently completed the design and construction for haussicht, a prefabricated home located in a pastoral landscape west of munich. designed for ecological home builder baufritz is an extensively thought out affordable design that merges cost efficiency, performance, and architecture into a cohesive project. the designer and client worked closely together with the mindset of re-inventing the concept of an ecological house from the experience of the space to the construction of the prefabricated assemblies put together on site. aiming to create a functioning concept allowed haberli to explore many new design strategies with the understanding that regardless of the size of the project the same assemblies can be scaled to almost any scope of home.

a walkway projects out onto the yard connecting the bedrooms to the site
image © baufritz

baufritz, known for their emphasis on the innovative use of wood in their pre-fab dwellings, sought to integrate wood as a primary building and furnishing element in the home. with this in mind, alfredo haberli turned to the historical construction of wooden boats served as a base for the stylistic feel of the design, seen most clearly in the sweeping cornices wrapping the roof. the dramatic overhangs also serve the practical purpose of shading the interior allowing for larger windows while helping to passively control the internal temperature. the traditional organization of living on the ground floor and bedrooms on the top floor has also been reversed in keeping with the conceptual consistency of re-imagining the home. the ground level is developed around a t-shaped circulation with the stairs at the center. a wide hallway along the front facade ensures plenty of natural light and establishes a datum separating the public area from the private bedrooms.

image © baufritz

on the second floor, large operable glass doors and windows open the interior to a wrap-around deck which also serves as a shading device for the floor below. raising the social areas of the home to the upper level also offers greater views of the surrounding landscape and far off horizons. in this concept, the swiss traditional stoeckli – a small retirement home traditionally on farms used when the owners pass the main house on to their children – has been reinterpreted into the narrative of the project, elevated upon a concrete plinth. haussicht was not only developed as an opportunity to redevelop traditional pre-fabricated construction but also utilizes a series of sustainable methods for harvesting energy. a special geothermal tank was built under the home which uses new technologies to better transport and insulate the natural heat from the ground, while an array of solar panels provides all the house’s electrical needs. in conjunction with a a design based on passive energy systems, the home can function almost entirely off the grid.

front facade of the home showcases various uses for wood
image © baufritz

the interior showcases the many uses of wood. from finishes to structural elements timber blurs the functional differences between furnishings, walls, floors and ceilings. each element serves at least two purposes simultaneously, freeing spaces to adapt to the owner’s specific needs.

image © baufritz