Lively plays of light, longer lifespan

It is this façade: It attracts attention. Garners compliments. Or criticisms. In any case, it leaves no one indifferent. Because it is simply something special: "It turns my house into something unique", underlines architect Armin Autengruber. The oblique zebra look brings the three cubic structures to life - and a lot of life is hidden behind them.

"We wanted to connect two residences: One for my parents, suitable for the new stage of life, and a home for me and my family", says Autengruber. And so, the young Tyrolean beamed his childhood home from the 50s into the present. Or even the future - because this is a home for several generations: Modern, economic, efficient, individual, shared - but still, everyone has their own space.

Big sister, little brother

"Of course, it is not always easy to live so close to each other. We created buffer zones in order to avoid inter-generational conflicts", describes Autengruber. Two separate entries open into generous atria, the covered terraces are visually protected through jutties and set-offs. "These are actually two units, which, however, to an outside observer look like one house", says the architect. To this end, he expanded the old solid brick house in the small Tyrolean village Münster with the three lightweight cubes. In only six months, he brought to life the "Big sister" and the "Little brother" - as the picturesque project name says. Of course, compliant with the low energy standard. And using his favourite material: wood. "Whether as building material, construction element for the façade, or indoors - wood simply exudes warmth", underlines the 37-year-old.

Highlight, don't paint over

For this reason, it is important for him to preserve the natural material as well as possible. "For me, wood protection means a symbiosis of long lifespan and underlining the material quality: The wood structure should remain recognisable, and not be painted over or drowned out; the material quality should be emphasised and it should not get lost", explains Autengruber. The natural greying glaze Pullex Silverwood from ADLER was just what he was looking for. "We decided to use this effect glaze because it protects the wood for a longer period of time", he says. In addition, it was also in line with his inclination towards colour as design element: "The pigments in the wood glaze often create plays of light. Depending on how the sun shines on it, it reflects differently and looks different – as if different shades of grey were dominant", describes the architect. 

Blue

The Tyrolean doesn't often have the chance to use his personal favourite colour, blue, in his architecture projects. But he lets it flow in - for example, when designing pool landscapes. In his home, a harmonious combination of pond and swimming area completes the successful renovation and expansion. The silver-black-white façade is reflected in the water, surrounded by green meadows, with the mountains rising behind against the blue sky. No wonder that both the young and the old feel great in this dream of colour!