viereck's 'house t' coalesces its interior living space with the surrounding nature

the concept for the ‘house t’ began with the owners, who are a gardener and a florist by profession, and had the idea of building an airy tree house — living among treetops, so that you don’t have to look at the plants, trees and flowers just from below — in the northeastern region of austria. the design team has a working background with this kind of floating concept, and so the idea of a house lifted above the ground had been clear for the clients and architects. it went without saying that timber as the main material is the preferred choice, not only because it’s environmental friendly and provides a warm living atmosphere, but also due to its sustainability as a building material.

the owners, who are a gardener and a florist by profession, had the idea of building an airy tree house
all images © andreas tischler, croce&wir

the austrian based office viereck architekten‘s design starts off with the entrance to the living area, situated on the first floor accessible through a staircase made out of panels of solid timber and expanded metal mesh in order to get a translucent and diffuse welcome experience. the upper level determines the approximately 120 m² generously designed living space, extendable into a surrounding terrace, from which you get a great view through the garden below.

the upper level is extendable into a surrounding terrace, from which you get a great view through the garden below

on the ground floor, there is the MEP room for the thermal heat pump and the swimming pool equipment. the staircase includes space provisions for an elevator shaft, to be able to subsequently fit an elevator to get a barrier-free access later on if necessary.

the panels of solid timber and expanded metal mesh make a translucent and diffuse welcome experience

the entrance area on the first floor serves as a distributor to its adjacent rooms. from here you get either into the airy and bright living room with a clear room height of 4,80 m or on the other hand into the more private area of the house with bathroom, dressing room and the bedroom with views into austria’s landscape.

‘house t’ is designed to live among treetops, so that you don’t have to look at the plants and flowers just from below

the open living space includes kitchen, dining area and living room which assemble around an open fireplace and all areas have access to the surrounding terrace. large floor to ceiling windows fuse the interior and exterior and extend the surrounding nature into viereck’s ‘house t’.

the open living space includes kitchen, dining and living room which all have access to the surrounding terrace

on the exterior of the ‘house t’, the defining elements are the gray colored vertical aluminum panels, which together with the recessed larch timber facade blend into the landscaped surrounding. the aluminum panels then continue into the internal space. from the entrance, over to the staircase the material is dominant and a good contrast to the timber facade.

the aluminum panels are dominant and create a good contrast to the timber facade

natural and haptic materials are of great importance to viereck architekten and the owners. walls with clay plaster, fair faced wood panels and ceilings, as well as a wooden floor define the atmosphere and the sense of warmth. the entire building is heated through an air-source heat pump which provides a cozy living environment.

on the exterior of viereck’s ‘house t’, the defining elements are the gray colored vertical aluminum panels

walls with clay plaster, wood panels and ceilings, as well as a wooden floor define the warm atmosphere

timber is the preferred choice, not only because it provides a warm atmosphere, but also due to its sustainability

large floor to ceiling windows fuse the interior and exterior and extend the surrounding nature into viereck’s house t

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edited by: apostolos costarangos | designboom