Sustainable Architecture in Vorarlberg - Energy Concepts and Construction Systems

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Sustainable Architecture inVorarlberg



Energy Concepts

and

Construction

Systems

Ulrich Dangel

Birkhiiuser

Basel · Boston - Berlin



Thisbook is also available in a Germanlanguage

edition: Nachhaltige Architektur in Vorarlberg,

ISBN978-3-0346-0118-4

Library of CongressControl Number:

2009934864

Bibliographic information published by the

GermanNational Library

TheGermanNational Library lists this publication

in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed

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http

://dnb.d-nb.de.

Thiswork is subject to copyright. All rights are

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copyright owner must be obtained.

©

2010 Birkhauser verlag AG

Basel · Boston· Berlin

PO. Box133,CH-4010 Basel, Switzerland

Part of Springer Science+BusinessMedia

Printed on acid-free paper produced from

chlorine-free pulp .

TCF

00

Proofreading : Claudia Mazanek, Vienna

Design: LeaPfister, Zurich /

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Printed in Germany

ISBN: 978-3-0346-0119-1

987654321

www.birkhauser.ch



7

Preface

93

Sustainability

8 Mapof Voralberg

The Timber House - Traditional

Houses

-

Sustainable

Management ofResources

11

Tradition and Future

The

Province

ofVorarlberg

-

100

Community Center Ludesch

Architecture

Today

Sustainable Paradigm

Hermann Kaufmann

18 Elementary School Doren 108 Housing Development Fichtenweg,

Lessons from wood Bartholomaberg-Gantschier

Cukrowicz Nachbaur Compactand Cost-Efficient

26

Ski Lodge Schneggarei, Lech am Arlberg Hans Hohenfellner

Buildingon Traditional Values 112 Community Center Raggal

Katia Schneider + Gerold Schneider, Retaining Regional

Value

AllmeindeArchitektur, PhilipLutz Johannes

Kaufmann

32 Parish Church St. Ulrich, Gotzis 118 Housing Development

LetThere

Be

Light Sandgrubenweg, Bregenz

Christian Lenz

Sustainable Living

36

RUscher Residence, Schnepfau Gerhard Horburger, Helmut Kuess,

Reinterpreted Vernacular Wolfgang Ritsch, Norbert Schweitzer

Oskar

Leo

Kaufmann, Albert RUf 124 Secondary School Klaus-Weiler-Fraxern

42 Community Center Obersaxen Passive House Sets the Standard

Tough

onthe Outside, Soft Inside

Dietrich Untertrifaller

MatthiasHein

48

Olperer House, Ginzling 133

Construction Systems

LowEnergy at HighAltitude

VernacularTimber

Construction

-

Hermann

Kaufmann

Change inTradition - A

New

Era

57

Craft

and

Materiality

142 Housing Development MUhlweg, Vienna

Timber -

The Carpentry

Trade -

Exporting Expertse

Craft

Culture

Hermann Kaufmann + Johannes Kaufmann

150

Hugo Kleinbrod Chapel, Lustenau

64

Community Center St. Gerold

The

Church Comes

to the

People

Compactand Coherent

Hugo Dworzak

Cukrowicz Nachbaur

154

Tschabrun Logistics Center, Rankweil

70 Metzler Residence, Rankweil-Brederis

All About Wood

Livingon the Water

Christian Lenz

Marte Marte

158 Hospital Dornbirn

76

SYSTEM3

Floating Featherweight

Customized Prefabrication

Gohm

& Hiessberger

Oskar Leo Kaufmann, Albert RUf

164 Nordwesthaus, FuBach

82

Rauch Residence, Schlins

Lightand

Shadow

Natural Building

Baumschlager

Eberle

Planungsgemeinschaft

Lehmhaus:

Roger Boltshauser, Martin Rauch 170

ProjectSummary

88 Gasthof Krone, Hittisau

174

Biography, Acknowledgements

Old and Newin Harmony

175 Bibliography

Bernardo Bader

176 Illustration Credits



Preface

Over the last thirty years, the small Austrian province of Vorarlberg has made a name

for

itself

with its contemporary building culture. Widely considered a unique phenom

enon throughout Europe, Vorarlberg has not only established its own regional identity,

but also serves as a role model far beyond its own borders. The apparently universal

consensus among local architects to use reasonable means and resources is paired

with a relentless search for the most sensible, functional, and cost-eff icient design

solutions. The employment of innovative materials and construction principles, the

integration of the latest technologies, and the development of new building products

playa particularly important role. Rooted in the population's ingenuity, this pragmatism,

simplicity, and rationality has resulted in a high number of exemplary buildings which

almost appear to be an unintended byproduct of a thoughtful andsophisticated problem

solving process. The harmonious collaboration between architects, craftsmen, clients,

and the local authorities continues to produce new architecture which is progressive,

energy-efficient, andsustainable, and hasearnedVorarlberg a widely admired reputation

in the international design community.

Although I was raised in southern Germany,only about two hours from Vorarlberg, my

introduction and exposure to its people and culture came several years later, ironically

after

I

had moved awayto the United States. Growing up,

I

was influenced by Swabian

diligence and thrift from my German father's side - traits that can be readily found in

Vorarlberg due to its geographical proximity. Mymother's Austrian heritage contributed

temperament and persistence, and also instilled my close affinity to her home country.

This was complemented by my architectural education at unlversitat Stuttgart, which

sparkeda strong interest in building technology, including structure, assembly,materials,

and sustainability. It appears that with my upbringing and educational background, it

was only a matter

oftime

before Vorarlberg's architecture would attract my attention.

Since my first visit, I havebeen captivated by the Landle and its people. I have been

particularly intrigued by Vorarlberg's vernacular tradition and craft, and how they have

contributed to the development of a distinctive contemporary architectural language.

Without c la iming to be complete, this book is an attempt to give an overview of the

region's architectural history and culture. Despite the fact

that

Vorarlberg is facing

many of the same environmental, social, cultural, and economic issues as other parts

ofthe world, the province has developed its own unique response which I believe could

serve asinspiration to others. I hope

that

the reader will forgive the tendency to idealize

the phenomenon in vorarlberg, which is

still

considered by many to be a paradise for

building.

Ulrich Dangel

Austin, Texas, Spring

2009

7



8

1

Elementary School Doren

Cukrowicz Nachbaur

Kirchdorf2, 6933 Doren

2

ski Lodge schneggarei

Katia Schneider

+

Gerold Schneider,

Allmeinde Architektur, Philipp Lutz

Tannberg 629, 6764 Lech am Arlberg

3

Parish Church St. Ulrich

Christian Lenz

HauptstraBe 15,6840 Gotzis

4

ROscherResidence

Oskar Leo Kaufmann,

Albert

ROf

6882 Schnepfau

5

Community Center Obersaxen

Matthias Hein

DorfstraBe 2, 6830 Obersaxen

6

Olperer House

Hermann Kaufmann

Dornauberg 110,6295 Ginzling

7

community

Center St. Gerold

Cukrowicz Nachbaur

FaschinastraBe 100, 6722St. Gerold

8

Metzler Residence

Marte Marte

CluniastraBe, 6830 Rankweil-8rederis

9

SYSTEM3

Oskar Leo Kaufmann, Albert ROf

Jahngasse 9, 6850 Dornbirn

10

Rauch Residence

planungsgemeinschaft Lehmhaus:

Roger Boltshauser, Martin Rauch

Torkelweg 17 6824 Schlins

11

Gasthof Krone

Bernardo Bader

Am Platz 185, 6952 Hittisau

12

Community Center Ludesch

Hermann Kaufmann

RaiffeisenstraBe 56, 6713Ludesch

13

Housing Development Fichtenweg

Hans Hohenfellner

Fichtenweg, 6780 Bartholomaberg-Gantschier

14

Community Center Raggal

Johannes Kaufmann

Raggal 31,6741 Raggal

15

Housing Development Sandgrubenweg

Gerhard H6rburger,

Helmut

Kuess,

wolfgang Ritsch,

Norbert

Schweitzer

MariahilfstraBe

rra-d,

6900 Bregenz

16

Secondary School Klaus-weile r-Fraxern

Dietrich

Untertrifaller

TreietstraBe 17 6833 Klaus

17

Housing Development MOhlweg


MOhweg, 1210Wien

18

Hugo Kleinbrod Chapel

Hugo Dworzak

SchOtzengartenstraBe 216890 Lustenau

19

Tschabrun Logistics Center

Christian Lenz

BundesstraBe 102, 6839 Rankweil

20

Hospital Dornbirn

Gohm & Hiessberger

Lustenauer StraBe 4, 6B50 Dornbirn

21

Nordwesthaus

Baumschlager Eberle

HafenstraBe ta, 6972FuBach

Switzerland

o

I

o

5

,

1&

17

6 _



9



•

•

Itlon

uture


Lessons

fr

om w ood

Cukrowicz Nachb aur

Ski Lodge Schneggarei, Lecham Arlberg

Building on Tradi

ti

onal

valu

es

Katia Schnei

der

+ Gerold Schneider.

All meinde Archite kt ur, Philip Lutz

Parish Church St. Ulrich, Gotzis

Let There Be Light

Christian Lenz

ROscher Residence, Schnepfau

Re

in t

erpreted Vernacular

Oskar Leo Kaufmann.

Albert ROf

Community Center Obersaxen

Tough on th e Outsid e, So

ft

Inside

Matthias Hein

Olperer House, Ginzling

Low Energy at High Altitude

Hermann Kaufmann



12 Tradition and Future

1 Bizau and Reuthe in the Bregenzerwald region

Page10top: Day CareCentre. Landegg

(Fink Thurnher Architekten)

bottom : Gasthof Adler.Schwarzenberg.

renovation 1991(Hermann Kaufmann)

The Province of Vorarlberg

Located on the northwestern slopes of the Austrian Alps and bordering the countries of

Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, Vorarlberg is the second smallest Austrian

province, but also the second most densely populated after Vienna. Its population of

368,000 [I) is hardly even that of a medium-sized Europeancity, and inhabits an area of

roughly

2,600

square kilometers

[IIJ.

Vorarlberg isgeographically closed of f from the rest

of Austria, and the only connections to the neighboring province of Tyrol are provided

by three surface roads, as well as the railroad and street tunnel through the Arlberg

mountain. Due to its isolated locat ion, most of the province's populat ion speaks a

distinctive German dialect which many of the country's other inhabitants find hard to

understand. It is similar to the Alemannic dialects spoken in Switzerland, Liechtenstein,

the Alsace region in France, and parts of southwestern Germany, whereas the dialects

spoken in the rest of Austria form part of the Bavarian-Austrian language group. Many

towns and villages even havetheir own distinct sub-dialects.

Vorarlberg is an alpine region and extremely mountainous, and therefore offers unfa

vorable conditions for intensive farming. [1-2) It also does not possess any significant

valuable natural resources. For centuries, the land could not feed the population, and

the younger generations were sent abroad asseasonal workers to the more prosperous

neighboring countries. The province had a strong rural agricultural tradit ion,

but

it

experienced an early industr ialization at the beginning

of

the nineteenth century,

particularly in the field

oftextile

manufacturing. The rise of the textile industry had its

origins in the traditional production of linen, and benefited greatly from the craftsman

ship and skill set of the farming population, which in turn became heavily involved in the

home-based manufacturing of industrial textiles and other goods. Up to the nineteenth

century, Vorarlberg was sparsely inhabited, and its population was mostly homoge

neous. The regulation of the River Rhine, the construction

ofthe

railroad, and the use of

water-power gavethe province a basis for its own economic growth, and also led to an

influx of foreign labor, particularly from Italy andTurkey.

[IIIJToday,

Vorarlberg isthe most

heavily industr ialized region of Austria, but it produces with the lowest energy con

sumption. About

96

percent of the province's electricity isgenerated from hydroelectric

power, with the III valley being the center of power production. [IV) Ofthe

169,000

people

employed, only 3

, 0 0 0

sti ll work in farming and forestry, but 67,000 work in texti le,

electrical, and machine manufacturing, and construction.

[v]

The per capita production

of export goods is four t imes higher than in the United States or Japan, and is only

surpassed by Switzerland.



13

2 Font anella , Sonntag and Raggal inthe Great walser Valley



14 Tradition andFuture

Dueto Vorarlberg's size, it might come asa surprise that the emergence of its contem

porary and innovative architecture over the last three decades is unparal leled in

Europe. Deeply rooted in the region's longstanding tradition of building craft, a number

of pioneering architects have established a strong technical, cost-efficient, and func

tional vocabulary that hasevolvedinto a uniquearchitectural culture.

Today,

this exclusive

setting servesas a laboratory in which architects and craftsmen search for a symbiotic

connection between a specifically regional architecture on the one hand, and a pro

gressive architectural formal language on the other. In addit ion, they explore the

relationship between technology and ecology, as well as between housing needs and

the requirements

ofthe

industry.

Architecture Today

Vorarlberg's contemporary architecture is a result of unprecedented regional develop

ment. As a continuation of a movement that started in the 1960s, the local architects

have worked systematically over the last three decades to establish expertise in

technology, cost efficiency, and functional ity. Their work is not based on purely

aesthetic aspects, but primarily focuses on infl uences from today's construction industry

and manufacturing technology. Spaces are conceived through an exploration and inte

gration of structure, assembly, and function, and not through short-lived superficial

formalisms. Concepts are grounded in structural efficiency, maximum use of minimal

resources, usability, and the client's needs which results in simple, yet very functional

spaces. This sophisticated simplicity should not be misconstrued as being plain or

basic, and is best described using German architect Heinrich Tessenow's words: The

simplest form is not alwaysthe best, but the best is always simple.

Theinitial group of architects was fundamentally opposed to a formal regionalism based

on misunderstood tradition. Their intention was not to replicate traditional forms, but

to translate and update traditional processesand principles. Asa result, architects and

craftsmen together have been successful in finding a contemporary answer to the

continuation of the local timber building tradition. Vorarlberg's architecture is unique in

that it encompasses extremely modern tendencies such asthe promotion of modular

living accommodation or the use ofthe latest industrial building components, without

ignoring or abandoning traditional construction skills and housing typologies

of

the

region. The harmonious juxtaposition of old building stock with contemporary interpre

tations provesthat it is possible to respect tradition while at the sametime not rejecting

contemporary life. [3-5)



15

Apartment building Lechblick (Christian Lenz)

4 Fireand Mountain RescueStation, Mellau (Dietrich Untertrifaller)

5 sturz Residence, Dalaas(Gohm Hiessberger)



16 Traditionand Future

6-8

SU-SI Building System (Johannes und Oskar Leo Kaufmann)

7

8



Initially, this critical discourse involved small-scale private projects which allowed the

architects to easily test ideas and concepts. The invaluable knowledge gained through

this experience enabled them to successfully transition to working with investors and

public authorities on more complex and larger public commissions.

[VI

This unique de

velopment was not the product of the architects alone. Enlightened clients, a climate

of

open discussion, the cooperation

ofthe

authorities, and a broad consensus on aesthetic

qualities and energy consumption havecontributed to the appreciation and promotion

of

contemporary and sustainable architectural principles at all levels

of

society.

Thetraditional carpentry trade hassuccessfully madethe transition to modern fabrication

techniques, and plays an active and important role in the planning and design process

by settingextremely high standards of workmanship. Today, there are manyopen-minded

timber manufacturers that havea vested interest in cooperating with architects in order

to improve and promote their building products. Prefabrication plays a very important

role, but it is rooted in the carefully crafted customization of the carpentry trade, rather

than inexpensive industrialized mass production.

[vlIl

Many manufacturers offer entire

prefabricated kit houses, which havebeen developed in collaboration with architects. [6-8J

Dueto the decline

of

traditional farming, many centuries-old

timber

structures through

out the region became redundant and were, until recently, thoughtlessly demolished.

At the same time, the postwar bui lding stock from the 1950Sand 1960s is start ing to

reach the endof its service life since envelope and energysystems no longer meet current

buildingcodes. The new generation of architects has become increasingly engagedwith

the sensitive renovation and adaptive reuse of many of these old buildings while at the

same time addressing concerns

of

ecology, sustainability, and the conservation of

resources. The refurbishment and upgrading of these valuable historic structures to

today's building standards presents technical challenges and demands creative design

solutions. [VIII] The labor-intensive and sometimes difficult restoration and conservation

process keeps traditional craftsmanship skills alive, contributes to the creation of highly

specialized expertise, and introduces new technologies to the field

of

historic preserva

tion. The Landle, asVorarlberg is affectionately called by its inhabitants, has managed

to develop new architectural customs and craftsmanship practices by successfully

building on its vernacular past.

17

I AmI der Vorar

lberg

er t.andesregierung. t.andestelte fur

tausur .

Bevo/kerung

okwell (www.vorrlberg

.at

.

December

2008)

II Statistik Austr ia. http://www.sta tlstik al/web_de/Red lfect/

Index.hlm?dDoCName 022138 \ Regiono/e G/iederungen

Bundes/linder (www

.s taustik.at. 01.01.2008) .

III See Otto xapfinger. The Vorarlberg School of Arcnuecture.

InOtto xapfinger.

ConsUuctive

Provocar ian:

Contemporary

Architecture in varar/berg. ed. byVorarlb erger Architektur

ins

titu

t

(Sa lzburg: verlag Anton Pustet.

2003). 22.

IV AmI

der

vorartb erger t.andesregierung, Abt. Allgemeine

Wirtschaftsangelegenheiten.

Bereich Energie. fne rgiebericht

200B (www.vorarlberg.at. o ctober 2008 ).12 .

V Wirtschaltskammer

vorarlberg, varar/berg

in

Zah/en.

Ausgabe 2008 (www.wko .at/vlbg. 200 8 ) . 8 .

VI

Otto xapflnger, Baukunst

in

vorarlberg serr 19BO . f in

Fiihrer l U260 sehenswerten Bouten (Ostfildern ·Ruit : Verlag

Gerd Hatje .

199

9).6

.

VII Traugott Zech. Hollbauten in Vorar/berg. f ine

Dokumentation der letllen 20 Jahre

(Feldkirch: Rheticus'

Gesellschalt . 1985). 7.

VIII

See

0110

xapfin

ger, -New

Spaces in

Archite

cture,

in Cansuuctive Provocation. 85.



18


Cukrowicz Nachbaur

Lessons from

Wood

The small community of Doren is part of the Bregenzerwald region, a mountain range of

the Northern Limestone Alps. Most of the working population in this part of Vorarlberg

is employed in tourism and agriculture, although the lat ter workforce is rapidly de

creasing due to the large variety of

job

opportunities in the nearby Rhine river valley.

Doren's new elementary school is on a steep hill site in the center of the village. Directly

adjacent to the church, rectory, and municipal offices, it offers panoramic views of the

surrounding mountain ranges. The building's program, consisting of a gymnasium, day

care, four classrooms, two workshops, a multipurpose space, and a teacher's lounge,

proved to be a challenge to fi t on the extremely small site.

With their proposal for a hard-edged, compact building volume, architects Andreas

Cukrowicz and Anton Nachbaur-Sturm beat 17 other firms to win a design competition

held in

2001.

Their design combines all functions on five levels, taking advantage of the

sloped site to reduce the building's overall height. At f irst glance, the new elementary

school seems to mark a break with the rural bui lding tradition of the Bregenzerwald

region. However,the new building completes the ensembleof church, community center,

and school, and restores the spirit of the place.

Thesolid structure plays with ideasof rotation andsuperimposition of layers in a horizon

tal and vertical fashion. Eachindividual story frames a different view of the landscape

beyond, and this change of direction creates appealing spatial relationships within the

simple volume. The steep hil ls ide allows the bui lding to have entrances on multiple

levels and establishes two main orientations: the gymnasium entrance on the lower

1:1500



20 ElementarySchool Doren



level faces south and addresses the square, while the main entrance is located on the

level above facing the church to the east. Largesouth-facing windows in the classrooms

allow views of the alpine mountain ranges in the distance. The bui lding's compact

nature minimizes the circulation areas for the benefit of the programmatic functions. A

space-saving windowless staircase connects all levels and leads to generous hallways

which house the pupils' coat racks and also allow classrooms to spill out for project

related activities.

Thearchitects did not follow the

3

.2 0 m minimum room height requirement asmandated

by Vorarlberg's school construction guidelines, but decided to reduce it by 10 percent

to 2

.9 0

m. This reduction was only approved by the authorities following the introduc

tion of a mechanical ventilation system, since the mandatory typical room height was

merely based on natural window ventilation principles. As a result, this significantly

contributed to decreasing the school's overall volume and its impact on the surrounding

buildings. Lined with a natural stone wall, the newly established village square serves

as a schoolyard for the pupils, and at the same time becomes the community 's new

social and cultural focus where events and festivities are held.

construction

According to architect Markus Cukrowicz, pastor, mayor, and teacher still command

respect and hold positions of power. He states that with the design of the new elemen

tary school, they picked up onthe old tradition thatthe buildings for these three pillars

of society in the rural Bregenzerwald region are usually built out of solid materials.

The building's exterior walls are made of loadbearing fair-faced concrete. Two interior

concrete walls on each level subdivide the floor plan. Byspanning the entire depth of

the bui lding, they funct ion as f loor-to-ceil ing beams and support the story below. A

large opening in each beam allows horizontal circulation on each level. The goal was to

accommodate the project brief on the small site within a compact envelope, a clear

span, and without the need for any additional interior columns.

nl

1:400

21



i I i

[ J iIi J J j J

1

I

I

[ .I ,

1

Roof. U

=

0

.11

W m' K

50 mmgravel fill

Two-ply PEmembranefor uv protection

Two-ply bitumi nous roofing membrane

50 mm polyurethane rigidthermal insulation

250 mm polystyrene rigid thermal insulation

Foil-laminated vapor barr ier

Protection mat

0-140 mmconcrete bed. laid to fall

300 mm reinforced concrete slab

50 mm services cavity

30 mm sheep wool acoustic insulation

Acoustical mat. black

40 mmsilver f ir str ips. spacedat 15mm

2

Exterior wall. U: 0.18W m'K

300 mm reinforced concrete

100

x

50 mm horizontal furring strips with

100 mm mineral wool thermal insulation

in-between

100 x 50 mmvertical furring strips with


in-between

12 mm oriented strand board

Vapor retarder

37mm furring strips with services cavity

in-between

21mm silver fir boards. planed

3

27 mm silver fir floorboards, fine-sawn

45mm timbe r floor joistswith mineral wool

insulation in-between

128mm raised floor


30 mmsheep wool acoustical insulation

Acoustical mat, black

40 mmsilver f ir str ips. spacedat 15 mm

4

22mm epoxycement flooring or coco

floor mat

70 mmscreed with integrated underfloor

heating system

vapor retarder

20 mmimpact sound insulation board

35mm bed of bonded stonechippi ngs

140mm reinforced concrete slab

185mm services cavity

30 mm sheep wool acoustical insulation

Acoustical mat, black

25mm perforated medium density fiber board

5

300 mm waterproof reinforced concrete

100

x

50 mm horizontal furring strips with


in-between

100 x 50 mmvertical furring strips with


in-between

12 mmoriented strand board

37mmfurring strips with services cavity

in-between

19mm medium densityfiberboard

6

15mm epoxy cement flooring

70 mm screed with integrated underfloor

heating system

vapor retarder

20 mm impact sound insulation board

100 mm expanded polystyrene rigid

thermal insulation

4 mm bituminous felt


1:50

2

5

3

4

1

22 Elementary School Doren



24 ElementarySchoolDoren



I

I I I I

IlD

~

f --

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floor/ 3' d floor

LU

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25



Reinforced concrete is only used where it has a structural application. It is seen on the

building's facades and on the interior, where it becomes part of the building's spatial

experience. The cold and hard surfaces of the loadbearing concrete structure are com

plemented bythe use of wood for all non-loadbearing building components. Wall, floor,

and ceiling finishes, aswell asthe built-in furnishings, are made of native silver fir, and

reference the local material and build ing craft tradition. For the first time in an Austrian

school, the architects were able to persuade the regulating authorities to approve the

use of untreated interior wood surfaces: the walls are planed smoothly, and the floors

are fine-sawn .

Inorder to minimize expansionand contraction, the highest grade of silver fir waschosen

for the flooring. The selected rift-sawn boards havebeen cut perpendicular to the tree

rings, which guarantees a relatively uniform grain pattern and makes the boards more

stable than plain-sawn lumber. Inaddition, the wood underwentan elaborate manufac

turing process

that

involved several drying stages to ensure

that

the f loor would not

deform and generate gaps and cracks over time. Maintaining the untreated wooden

f loors has proven to be easy, which has even impressed the public health officer.

According to the school'sjanitor, the floors are vacuumed once a week and are mopped

with water twice a year, which allows them to retain their inherent natural beauty and

pleasant smell. Untreated silver fi r floors can be found in historic churches throughout

the Bregenzerwald region, and serve as a convincing example that its application has

been successful for centuries.

The minimized formal language and reduced material palette identify the five-story

school asa contemporary building. Its flat roofjuxtaposes the nearby church's Baroque

clock tower and the gabled roof

ofthe

municipal office building. The architecture is un

apologetic and purposely denies any traditional references. Instead of evoking typical

childhood connotations as might be expected in the design of a school, the architects

focused on a clear formal language and the use of well-crafted and carefully detailed

materials. Various surface finishes stimulate the pupils' senses and invite interaction

with the building. Most importantly, the restrained aesthetic does not detract from the

daily school activities. Cukrowicz Nachbaur have successfully created an environment

conducive to learning.

Energy Concept

The compact school building has an optimized surface-area-to-volume ratio which

minim izes the potential for heat loss. A biomass-powered heating plant is located

underneath the plaza facing the church, and also supplies several of the neighboring

houses in the village with heating energy. The system is able to reduce the building's

CO

, emissions through the combustion of wood pellets

that

are typically made from

compacted sawdustand area byproductof the timber industry. Amechanical ventilation

system replaces the prevalent practice of natural ventilation, and prevents excessive

energy lossesthrough improper window operation by the building's users.

Manylocals airedconcerns during the planning and construction phasesof the project.

After the school's opening ceremony, however, this init ial skepticism was quickly put

aside. Overall, the community is rather pleased, and has praised the harmony and

coherence

that

is apparent between the building's interior and exterior appearance.



27



28 Ski Lodge Schneggarei, Lecham Arlberg



1

Roof, U- 0.22W m'K

350 x 30 mmsilverf ir boardswith

waney edges. shiplapped

100 x 100 mm purlins

waterp roofing membrane

25mm timbe r decking

100 x 100 mm purlins

Sarking membrane

30 mm timber decking

280

x

260 mmsilver fir roof beams

with thermal insulation in-between

30 mm timber decking

Furring strips

30 mm rough-sawnsilver fir boards

with waney edges, shiplapped

2

Exterior wall, U· 0.24 W m'K

110mmsilver fir siding boards with

waneyedges

40 mm furring str ips

20 mm sheathing boards

180mm timber framing with thermal


20 mm sheathing boards

30 mm rough-sawn silver fir boards

with waney edges, shiplapped

1:50

-

=0

- 0

I

-----\.

0

1-

-

29



30 Ski Lodge schneggarei, Lecham Arlberg



18

]

1

st

floor

I I I 1 I I I I

Ground

floor

1:200

117

LJ

117

31



and innovative architecture has hardly left any impression on the ski resort over the last

three decades. The new lodge stands out through its remarkable simplicity, clean lines,

and minimal detailing. Its design is based on the belief

that

there aremany possibilities

for a rustic but contemporary interpretation of the region's traditional timber architec

ture. The building acknowledges the tourists' legitimate search for authenticity, a sense

of place, and Gemutlichkeit, but tries to address these desires skillfullythrough the use

of materiality and space rather than the mere surface application of pseudo-traditional

motifs.

With its minimal and modest design features, the Schneggarei f its in well with Vorarl

berg's internationally acclaimed timber architecture, while at the same time fulf il l ing

the requirements of a contemporary ski lodge. The guest areas are separated into an

open bar and dance floor zone on the ground floor, and a more secluded restaurant on

the upper level. Visually connected by a double-height space, both floors offer seating

for approximately

120

guests. A vertical volume made of tamped concrete extends over

both levels and housestwo open fireplaces aswell asthe ventilation system. The main

staircase wraps around this concrete mass and leads to the upper floor, where a con

t inuous counter lines the per imeter of the void, offering good views of any activi ty

below. A shallow south-facing terrace invites guests to sunbathe.

construction and Energy Concept

Great care was taken to design a contemporary and sustainable building which reflects

the return to the roots of the alpine building tradition. Locally harvested and processed

solid sawn lumber was used almost exclusively in the lodge's construction, and every

effort was made to minimize cut-off waste. The majority of the building materials were

sourced locally, which allowed any added value to be retained in the region. The small

amount of heating energy needed to operate the building is provided by a ventilation

system with heat recovery which is connected to the municipal biomass-powered

district heating system.

The prefabricated timber-framed structure is clad in heavy rough-sawn silver fir boards

on both inside and outside, giving the entire bui lding a rustic appearance. All t imber

elements used are untreated and retain their waney edges,which means

that

they show

a portion of the original log surface from which they were cut. The exterior cladding

boards are lapped at the corners using a joining method reminiscent of the tradit ional

Strickbau technique, which is similar to log construction and literally means

knitted

building. Thehorizontal strip windows have sliding shutters

of

unfinished silver fir and

feature neither hardware nor weather-stripping. Throughout the space, rustic

but

extremely simply detai led furnishings and f ixtures allow guests to experience and

appreciate the local material tradition and craftsmanship. All interior surfaces, aswell

as the basic furnishings, are made of the same unfinished silver fir, giving the lodge

interior a robust, yet warm charm.

Thegoal ofthe project was to combine the local building tradition and a sense of place

with today's modern design and contemporary lifestyle. Theski lodge successfully illus

trates how this approach can lead to the creation of harmonious, compelling, and highly

memorable spaces. A bold reinterpretation of traditional values, the Schneggarei is a

beautifully crafted contemporary building

that

is authentic and rustic at the same time .

32



Parish Church St. Ulrich, Gotzis

Christian Lenz

Let

There

Be Light

The catholic parish church St. Ulrich in G6tzis was completed in 1865. Overthe course

of the twent ieth century, several improvements were made to enrich the bui lding:

stained-glass windows by art ist Martin Hausle were added, art ist Mila Bjel ik-St6hr

designed the rose windows, and the sculptor Herbert Albrecht contributed main and

side altars. Extremely low light levels inside the church almost rendered these works of

art invisible, making it difficult for visitors to appreciate or indeed evenexperience their

presence. Theentire parish consists of approximately 7,600 members, and two services

aweek are held in the orlginal soo-seat church, attracting on averageabout 200 to 300

people. From recent experience, a full church can only be expected on high religious

holidays or special occasions such as First Communion and Confirmation. In addition to

the reduced number of visitors, the interior of the church did not conform to certain

liturgical guidelines devised during the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s. The

redesign should cultivate the cooperation between priest and congregation, dissolve

spatial barriers, and bring individual parishioners closer together.

After several years of discussions, architect Christian Lenzwas finally commissioned to

carry out the renovation in 2005. His proposal for a complete remodel was intended not

only to improve the quality of the spaces inside, but also to bring light into this place of

worship. The development of a suitable solut ion to improve the natural daylighting

conditions within the church proved a difficult decision-making process. Many people

expressed their objections to the solution of introducing narrow vertical l ight slits. For

the most part, however, this scheme has now been accepted by everyone involved.

1;4000

33



35



and bronze to create the valuable and high-quality liturgical accessories includ ing

tabernacle, ambo, baptismal font, sanctuary lamp, stoup, and offertory box.

All of the technical equipment in the church was replaced and skillfully integrated into

the existing spaces. The building is heated through a radiant f loor heating system

supplied by the municipal biomass-powered heating plant. The sacristy, community

room, and youth club space are heated to 20·C, the altar areais heated to

l2

·C, and the

remaining spacesare kept at lO·C. All pewsare equipped with electric infrared heaters.

At the intersections of the ceiling vaults, downlights are recessedinto circular openings

to illuminate the main nave. The column capitals support uplights for lighting of the

vaults above, while downlights in the corners brighten the column shafts below. The

.close collaboration between Christian Lenz, the client, and the building committee

allowed the successful completion of a project this size, complexity, and quality. By

strengthening the building's already powerful architecture, the architect's goal was to

create a light-filled and inviting place of worship which would bring the congregation

closer together. The limited number

of subtle design interventions provides the church

with an unpretentious and natural elegance.

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36



Riischer Residence Schnepfau

OskarLeo Kaufmann Albert Riif

Reinterpreted

Vernacular

This single-family home is located on a sloped site at the main thoroughfare through

Schnepfau, a little village in the Bregenzerwald region. Like many new timber-framed

houses in this area which is renowned for i ts sophist icated woodworking trade, this

project is the result of a close collaboration between the architect and the client, who

owns a millworking company. The client's parents' house was originally located on the

site, which was t ight and presented a lot of constraints. The steep slope also made it

challenging for the architect to fulfi l l the family's desire for bright, l ight-fi lled spaces

with a generous open living, dining, and kitchen area. Another important requirement

was the physical connection of the new family home to the immediately adjacent mill

work shop. The building's exterior borrows from the local vernacular architecture. The

simple volume with gabled roof, covered patio, and wood cladding reflects tradit ional

bui lding elements to be found throughout the region. The house is laid

out

on three

levels. The entrance, garage, laundry, and storage spaces are on the ground floor. The

next story housesthe open kitchen and living area, aswell asa home office which also

doubles as a guest bedroom . With vast amounts of glazing, this f loor opens up to the

street and the impressive mountain views in the distance. A covered patio and outdoor

space serve asa buffer between the private home and the millwork facilities and extend

the usable space ofthe main living level. The bedrooms and bathrooms on the top floor

are purposely kept private and secluded.

1:1500



38 ROscher Residence. Schnepfau

1

9



Roof,U = 0.21 W/m'K

Standing seam metal roof

Waterproofing membrane

18mmoriented strand board

60

mm ventilated cavity

22

mm fiberboard

100

mmthermal insulation

210

mm prefabricated solid

timber

panel.

consisting of individual layers of spruce and

fir boards, joined with hardwood dowels

2

Exterior wall. U

=0.21

W/m'K

18mm oak siding

40 mm horizontal furring strips

40 mmvertical furring strips

35mm fiberboard

220

mm mineral wool thermal insulation

200

mm reinforced concrete. fair-faced

finish to inside

3

22mm larch slats

46 mmfurring strips

5 mm neoprene pad


5 mm

PE

mat

20 mm vacuum insulation panel

5 mm PE mat

Vapor barr ier

Coat of bituminous paint


30 mmfurring strips

12

mm plywood board

4

20

mm spruce floorboards


212mm prefabricated timber panel,


fir boards, joined with hardwood dowels

5

Exterior wall, U =0.21 W/m'K

18mm oak siding

40 mm horizontal furring strips

40 mm vertical furring strips

35mm fiberboard

306 mm prefabricated timber panel,


fir boards.joined with hardwood dowels

11

mmventilated cavity

200 mm reinforced concrete

Ceramic tiles

6

Exterior wall, U

=0.27

W/m'K

drainage mat

120 mm extruded polystyrene thermal

insulation

250 mm waterproof reinforced concrete

120

mm servicescavity

2

x

12.5

mm gypsum board

Ceramic tiles

7

10 mm ceramic tiles


100

mm thermal insulation

8

250 mm reinforced concrete slab.

polished finish

100 mm thermal insulation

250 mm reinforced concrete slab. polished

finish ontop, fair-faced finish to underside

10

175-160

mm precast concrete element,

fair-faced finish

11

Exterior wall, U =0.27 W/m'K

drainage mat

120 mm extruded polystyrene thermal

insulation

250

mm waterproof reinforced concrete,

fair-faced finish to inside

12

20 mm spruce floorboards

60

mm screed

100

mm extruded polystyrene thermal

insulation

250

mm waterproofreinforced concrete slab

60 mmgravel bed

2

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39



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40

ROscher

Res idence. Schnepfau

Construction



The building's architecture with its gabled roof blends into the surrounding context, but

at the sametime, its construction principles present an unconventional departure from

traditional t imber-framed houses. Resting on a fair-faced concrete plinth, the walls,

ceilings and roofs

of

the upper levels are made of prefabricated solid

timber

panels.

These panelsconsist of eleven layersof spruce and fir boards, which add up to an overall

thickness of 310 mm. The construction system is innovative in the sense

that

it relies

solely on beech-wood dowels to hold the individual boards together. Noglues, solvents,

or metal fasteners are used. All building materials used for the assembly of the prefab

ricated panels are environmentally friendly and can be fully recycled. Further, the client

attached great importance to untreated surfaces and honesty towards the building's

materiality. This is reflected in the use of solid and single-layered building elements

without further addition of final f loor and wall finishes. All wooden walls, ceilings, and

roofs are made of single-leafsolid timber panels that are not only loadbearing, but also

fulfill several other performance requirements. The structural engineer and architect

worked closely together to solve the building's structural challenges. In order to create

anopen living areawithout the interruption of columns, only 2.5 m ofthe top level rests

on the concrete staircase core, while 5.5 m cantilevers freely over the living room and

outdoor patio .

Due to the choice of construct ion methods, the routing of all plumbing and electrical

services had to be determined before construction began. All switches and electrical

outlets had to be located during the planning phase, since every wall and ceiling surface

consisted of either fair-faced site-cast concrete or a prefabricated timber panel. Any

additional changes to the service installations on-site would not have been possible

without severely compromising the project's minimal aesthetic and were therefore

avoided at all cost. Thisrequired a

lot

of upfront coordination bythe consultants on the

onehand, but on the other hand made the actual construction phasemuch moreefficient,

since all these matters had already been addressed and resolved early in the project.

..---

I

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tst floor 1:250

•

2 · floor

3'· floor



42



Community Center Ubersaxen

Matthias Hein

Tough on

the

Outside

Soft Inside

The hillside village of Obersaxen overlooks the River Rhine and offers unique views

across the entire valley, ranging from Piz Buin to Lake Constance. In 2002, the small

community of approximately 600 inhabitants decided to hold a design competi tion

with the goal of remodeling the existing community center and school bui lding. The

scheme would also provide the village with a new multipurpose event space and central

square. Among the invited participants were not only ten established architecture

offices, but also two young and up-and-coming firms. Oneof these was architect Matthias

Hein, who emerged asthe winner

of

the two -stage competit ion and was hired for the

design and planning of the project.

Important and critical design criteria included taking advantage of the site's spectacular

views, embedding the new building into the small-scale village fabric, and retaining an

existing single-family residence located on the site designated for the future square,

which would be implemented in the second phase of the project. The scheme involved

the refurbishment of the existing community center and school building from the 1960s,

containing municipal offices, the elementary school, a daycarecenter, aswell asmeeting

rooms and gathering spaces for clubs and other organizations. The client wanted a

rearrangement of these spaces and the creation of separate entrances in order to seg

regate the individual functions, which would allow each one to operate independently

and without interference. The new addition houses a multipurpose event space, the

library, and a spacious bar.

1

:2000

43



44 Community Center Obersaxen

Even though the new building is a dark gray, the elevation facing the vil lage square



appears small in scale and unobtrusive. Topreserve the single-family residence and to

minimize the bui lding's impact on the scale of the surrounding fabric, the architect

decided to bury auxiliary program elements underneath the new square. Embedding

the large multipurpose space into the ground reduces the building's volume and does

not obstruct the spectacular views. The building's actual scale can only be experienced

from the west elevation which faces the valley. Views and lighting are directed through

the building and correspond to the sloped terrain. Through an extensive glass facade,

the interior opens up to a large green outdoor space which can be usedfor community

events. Additional functions including a library, bar, and cloakroom are combined in a

long and narrow single-story volume. In conjunction with the remodeled community

center, the L-shapeconfiguration defines the edgesofthe square and provides the new

addition with a presence on the village's main street.

Three and a

half

years after completion of the first phase, the single-family residence

was demolished to make room for the implementation of the entire village square design.

Following proposals by architect Markus Cukrowicz, the large-format sandblasted

precast concrete pavers were continued across the whole square, seating elements

were installed, and Japanese cherry trees were planted, which

will

frame Obersaxen's

center in a bold pink when they bloom in the spring. The space now provides accessto

all funct ions of the two bui ldings, and offers room for curricular and extracurr icular

activities, as well as community events.

construction

Thedesign of the hard-edged cubic building volume of reinforced concrete was derived

from the village's name - evolved from the Latin word saxum, which means stone or

rock. This became especially evident when more rock had to be blasted out of the

ground than expected during excavation for the new addition. The concrete mixture

used contains 7 percent dark gray pigment and has a rough and porous finish, similar to

pervious concrete commonly found in road construction. No contractor in the area had

any experience with this type of concrete, and many experiments and trials were con

ducted to correctly evaluate the effect ofthe retardant, which was applied to the inside

of the formwork and was responsible for the creation of the grainy surface texture.

The site-cast concrete structure appears simple at first glance,

but

proved to be a

challenge for the experienced engineers because of the arrangement of the openings

andthe choice of relativelyslender columns. Asa result, the columns were prefabricated

out of high-strength concrete, while the roof consists of 320 mm deep hollow core slabs

that span 13 m. Support ing the externally insulated slabs on the walls with internal

insulation was equally difficult.

While the bui lding's shell appears rough and hard on the outside, the inside reveals

more refined surfaces. The interior

of

the multipurpose space is dominated by warmer

and softer finishes, achieved by using various grades of oak. A darker, rustic, more fig

ured species is used for the flooring; lighter, smoother parquet is applied to the walls;

and the ceiling is clad in very l ight colored and plain perforated veneered panels .

Through this variation of finishes, the architect breaks the uniformity of the material

and isable to place an emphasis on the darker flooring surfaces. During evening events,

the light reflected from the wooden interior is visible from afar and creates an invit ing

atmosphere. The surface finishes in the subterranean auxiliary spaces are kept bright

white with the exception of a black mastic asphalt floor. This emphasizes the impression

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46 Community Center Obersaxen

1

Roof.U • 0.293 W/m'K

5

Floor. U- 0.326W/m'K

22mm oak parquet



50 mmgravel fill

PEroofing membrane

300 mm rigid insulat ion. la id to fall

Vapor barrier

320 mm hollow core reinforced concrete slab

200 mm suspendedacoustical ceiling

2

Exterior wall. U• 0.22 w/m'K

280 mm reinforced concrete. textured finish

2.80 mm mineral wool insulation

Vapor barrier

270 mm services cavity for ven

tilat

ion ducts

60 mm framing

20 mm particle board

10mm oak parquet

Noise protection membrane

20 mm raised floor

26mm flexible beams

26 mm spacers

10mm elastic bearing pad

Vapor barrier

80 mm mineral wool insulation

13mmleveling bed

8ituminous waterproofing membrane

250mm waterproof reinforced concrete slab

50 mm concrete mudslab

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70 mm screed and impact sound insulation

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92mm bedof bonded polystyrene beads


250 mmwaterproof reinforced concrete slab

50 mm concrete mud slab

3

10 mm oak parquet

20 mm particle board

60 mm framing

330 mm services cavity for ventilation ducts

60 mm framing with mineral wool insulation

in-between

2.12.5 mmgypsum board

1:50

47

of an artificial, windowless space in order to facilitate wayfinding through the building.

All doors, windows, and furniture are made of oak or havea white finish.



Themain feature ofthe multipurpose space is its tremendous flexibility, since

it

can be

transformed from a gymnasium into an event space within fifteen minutes. One of the

end walls can befolded down with cable winches to create a stage surface. The neces

sary stage equipment such as lighting, curtains, and reflectors can be slid out on tracks

that are recessed in the ceiling. During normal gym operation, the wall bars in front of

the full-height windows protect athletes from any potential injury, but can be slid back

behind the stage during special events. Even the game line markings can be covered up

with a synthetic flooring surface

that

can be set up in a very short space of t ime. The

'gym-like' atmosphere often encountered at school plays, concerts, and other special

events can therefore be avoided. Custom shatterproof lighting fixtures are mounted

flush in the cei ling and contain l ight sources suitable for sport ing events, dimmable

bulbs for special occasions, as well as emergency lighting. This allows for a range of

lighting levels and types without the visual clutter of a large number of different lighting

fixtures. Air ducts are kept completely out

ofthe

ceiling plane and are contained within

the walls, which allows a suspended cei ling bui ld-up of

just 200

mm, reducing the

building's overall height to a minimum.

The existing community center's concrete frame structure with hollow core slabs was

able to remain, even though several s tructural walls had to be removed and were

substituted with concealed steelwork. However, the building's windows and heating

system were in poor condition, and the thermal properties

of

the envelope did not meet

current building codes. New full-story-height glazing elements replace the old infil l

wood panels and windows, and an exterior insulation finish system has been applied to

the facade to provide a tight and well-insulated enclosure. The building's plinth previ

ously housed auxiliary spaces and was without any window openings. By rearranging

funct ions on the inside, the lower level was opened up to provide each space with a

relationsh ip to the outside. Existing finishes are complemented by new materials: the

hallway floors are made of artificial stone, oak parquet has been laid in the classrooms,

and the walls and ceiling are painted white. Doors, windows, and furniture are made of

oak. A new elevator provides accessto all levels for visitors with disabilities.

In conclusion, this successfully completed project serves asan excellent example ofthe

numerous courageous and motivated clients to be found in Vorarlberg. Many of them

put their faith in young and emerging architects like Matthias Hein, giving them the

opportunity to secure and implement ambitious design commissions.

1

:400

48



Olperer

House

Ginzling

Hermann Kaufmann

Low

Energy at

High

Altitude

Forover a century, a refugefor hikers and mountain climbers hasexisted in this exposed

location. At anelevation of2,389 m, the site offers breathtakingviews ofthe surrounding

glaciers and peaks of the Zillertal Alps and the Schlegeisspeicher reservoir in the valley

below. Refurbishment of the existing building was not a viable solution so in 2005 the

decision was made to replace it with a new structure.

New construction at this altitude presents a challenge when it comes to dealing with a

building's energyconsumption. First and foremost , the main goal was to create a suitable

shelter rather than a self-referential architectural statement. Respondingto the existing

conditions with a modestdesign proposal, architect Hermann Kaufmannwon the invited

competition by advocating innovation through simplicity. Consisting of a compact

volume, the new bui ld ing is not a spectacular piece of archi tecture competing for

attention. Rather, it is tuned to the high alpine climatic conditions and is in harmony

with its surroundings. The structure is an appropriate response to functional and pro

grammatic requirements and provides simple accommodation for mountaineers. The

ground floor housesthe storage spaces, kitchen, and the dining area. A large panoramic

window affords spectacular views of the reservoir below and the mountain peaks

beyond. The basic guest rooms for overnight stays are located on the upper level.

1

:5000



50 Olperer House. Ginzling

construction



Building at this altitude usedto and

still

does heavily depend on the availability of con

struction materials. Over a hundred years ago, the existing refuge had been built using

stone readily available at the site. Backin those days, the labor-intensive construction

of

heavy masonry walls was considered a suitable solution since the transportation of

large amounts of building materials up the mountain from the valley was not feasible.

Technological advances in the construction industry and the introduction of modern

meansof transportation such as helicopters havechanged the approach to construction

in the high alpine environment.

For the construction of the Olperer House, prefabrication techniques in combination

with large-format laminated

timber

panels offered a cost-effective solution which

allowed for easy t ransportat ion and fast on-si te assembly of individual building

elements. Thebuilding materials, including some

350

prefabricated components, were

delivered to the site by hel icopter in 913 f lights. The entire building was assembled

within three days. The main goal when designing the new refugewasto develop a simple

structure in which the range and quantity of individual components was purposely kept

to a minimum. The architect sought innovation through reduction, which is success

fully reflected in the clarity of the structural concept and its harmonious relationship

with the layout of the interior spaces. Replacing the existing structure, the compact

new building with its pitched roof cantilevers 2.5 m over a retaining wall towards the

reservoir in the valley below. This concrete wall, which also forms the outdoor terrace,

was backfil led with the debris from the demolished original building and has been clad

with the local stone found at the site. Thetwo-story structure above consists entirely of

laminated spruce

timber

panels which rangefrom between 125and 176 mm in thickness

and are up to 11 m in length. These prefabricated elements were usedfor the walls , floor

slabs, and eventhe pitched roof surfaces.

The exterior timber panel walls on the ground floor function asstory-height beams and

are tied back into the foundation in order to reduce the loads on the building's cantile

vered section. The balustrade below the large panoramic window is suspended between

these two walls and in turn carries the floor slabs

ofthe

dining area. The interior wall in

the center runs the entire length of the bui lding and provides continuous support for

the roof plane. Both the floor slabs and roof panels function asshear planes and brace

the structure. The

timber

panels' unique loadbearing and insulating properties provide

both the structural support and thermal insulat ion for the entire bui lding. Since the

house is only operated between mid-June and mid-October, no addit ional insulation

was necessary. To protect the laminated t imber panels from the harsh weather, all

exterior surfaces including the roofare clad with untreated larch shingles. Overthe next

several years, these wood shingles

will

weather and turn a silvery gray, causing the

building to blend in evenfurther with its rocky surroundings. During the winter months,

hinged shutters protect the windows while removable panels are used to cover up the

massivepanoramic window. Onthe inside, the aesthetic qualities of the exposed timber

surfaces create a warm and comfortable atmosphere.



53



1

PVpanels above copper roofing

2

Larch shingles

24mm timber decking

100 mm furring strips with ventilated

cavity in-between

Roofing membrane

176mm laminated spruce timber roof

panel. underside exposed

3

42mm spruce laminated veneer lumber

board

4

166mm loadbearing laminated spruce

timber panel

5

25mm solid larch folding shutter.

smooth finish

6

Wood window frame with double glazing

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Spruce shingles

148mm laminated spruce timber wall

panel. inside exposed

10

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veneer lumber boards

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panel. top side exposed

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1:50

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55

Energy

Concept

The architect's innovative energy concept envisioned an extreme reduction of the



building's energy consumption. Through the extensive use of wood, the house is

extremely durable, fully recyclable, and possesses low embodied energy levels. In the

absence of any infrastructural improvements, the building's orientation takes advan

tage of any solar gain. Sincethe structure is only occupied during the summer, it was

possible to reduce the mechanical services to an absolute minimum .

The building's low-tech nature provides comfort levels which are commensurate with

the visitors' expectations. The daily electricity demand for the so-bed house is a mere

29

kwh:

14

percent of this is met by photovoltaic panels on the roof, while 86 percent is

generated by a combined heat and power plant which runs on rape seed oil and is

necessary for water purification. For every 1 kWh of electricity produced, the plant

discharges

2

kWh of waste heat which is used to heat the shower rooms, the kitchen,

and the dining area. This is supplemented by a tiled stove which for the next several

years will be fired with timber retained from the demolition of the original structure.

The circulation spaces and guest rooms remain unheated while operable windows

provide natural ventilation. A small, completely insulated support structure is located

next to the main building and servesas an auxiliary shelter during the winter.

The Olperer House's architecture responds appropriately not only to the site, the local

climate, and the seasons,but alsoto the requirements of contemporary alpine tourism.

Today's mountaineers are educated and extremely aware of the fragile environment

that surrounds them. Thesimplified existence in the mountains is considered to be a

welcoming distraction from the technology-dependent routine of everydaycity life. The

new building successfully demonstrates that a low-tech approach can go further in its

efforts and achieve remarkable energy-efficient results that a high-tech solution might

not necessarily be able to offer.



--



59



60 Craft and Materiality

The Carpentry Trade

Carpentry is one of the oldest and most

important

bui ld ing trades and forms the

foundation of Vorarlberg's architectural culture. [3J Individual master craftsmen could



3 Fromthe first standard reference book for carpentry.

A,chireclura civilis von Johann Wilhelm. 1668

reach the highest social status as citizens of cit ies and rural communities. The trade

was organized in guilds which regulated the profession and determined how master

craftsmen, journeymen, and apprentices lived together. The guilds controlled pricing

and the quali ty

of

completed work, and prevented fraudulent act iv it ies, as well as

excessive competition. Besides determining the rules of conduct, they were also religious

associations. Precise regulations established the apprentices' education during

their

three-year training period and dictated god-fearing and honorable lifestyles. A final

practical exam concluded the apprenticeship and consisted of either a bu ilding or a

model , the so-called journeyman's piece. [41This was followed by a three-year journey

which the apprent ice would use to become famil iar with other parts of the world and

new working methods. The rules were very strict, and the journeymen were not allowed

to come home during

that

t ime, nor could they work on the same building site for more

than six months. Guild houseswere located across Europe, and even today journeyman

carpenters can be seentraveling in their guild attire, wearing a black corduroy vest and

bell-bottomed pants, and a wide-brimmed hat. The collaborative work in the field and

the shared life in the guild housesfostered a strong sense of belonging and community,

and has allowed the carpentry guilds to survive to this day.

Since Vorarlberg was a poor province with few significant commissions, most of the

work by Vorarlberg craftsmen was, in fact, performed abroad. The guilds were able to

exploit the bui lding boom after the devastation of the Thirty Years' War

(1618-1648) .

Between 1650 and 1800, craftsmen from Vorarlberg constructed several hundred large

projects in southern Germany,Switzerland, Alsace, and Bohemia. As a result, not only

were Vorarlberg's journeymen traveling, but the entire gui ld was on the road. Some

villages reported

that

during the building season between March and October, nearly

go percent ofthe male population was working awayfrom home. Vorarlberg's Baroque

master builders designed many churches and monasteries, and some

of

the best exam

ples can be found in Birnau and Weingarten in Germany, as well as Sankt Gallen and

Einsiedeln in Switzerland. Famousbuilders such as FranzBeerand PeterThumb became

very wealthy and settled in larger cities such as Constance.

Upto the nineteenth century, carpenters were not only craftsmen, but asmaster builders,

they also fulfilled the role

of

architect and engineer. Industrialization brought newtasks,

such asthe designand construction of concrete formwork; but generally, the carpenter's

responsibilities diminished significantly. The tools of the trade had remained virtually

unchanged between the Middle Ages and the twentieth century, when manual labor

was increasingly replaced by power tools and the use of machinery. [III]



in turn discouraged young adults from pursuing craft-related careers. Within this con

text, the design competi tion served as a strategic ini tiat ive to signal innovat ion and

reinvigorate the trades.

IV)

The public presentation of the competition results attracted

a

lo t

of attention among the local population and media, and succeeded in sparking the

63



renewal of all craft-related professions in the years ahead.

Supported by an initiative of the Vorarlberg government with the intention of strength

ening the region, the Bregenzerwald craftsmen finally united to form the association

Werkraum Bregenzerwald in1999. Today, most ofthe over90 members are innovative

businesses related to the construction industry, including carpenters, millworkers,

metalworkers, electricians, and plumbers. Theorganization's paramount goal isto raise

awarenessof the trades, to promote high-quality local products, and to supporttraining

of the next generat ion of craftsmen in order to ensure the continuat ion of traditional

skills while securing a qualified workforce for the future. The design competition Craft

and Form is held every three years and allows the individual trades to present their

latest achievements. Through this, the craftsmen have been able to establish ongoing

relationships with architects and designers, and continue to benefit from this close

collaboration. Representing an alternative to global mass production, products are

manufactured in small-scalefamily-owned businessesandfu lfill the highest expectations

with regard to form, funct ion, and workmanship. The commitment to both a new

aesthet ic and local t radition has resulted in a high level of regional ident ity and self

confidence among the population. The craftsmen's work has significantly contributed

to the development of a contemporary architectural language which promotes sustain

able practices for working, living, and building.

[26-9]

8

-9

Laminated lumber fabrication in Reuthe

9

I Amt der vorarlberger Landesregierung. Forstwesen

(www.vorarlberg.at. March 2009).

II Rudolf sagrneister, Holzboukunsl in vorarlberg

(8regenz : verlag Eugen Russ.1988). 15

III

Ibid ..

7.

IV Claudia Schwartz. Die ideale wechselbeziehung:

Architektur und Handwerk im Bregenzerwald sind Teil eines

gesamtkulturellen Phanomens , in Bauwell. 2006. June 2,

v. 97. n. 22,16.

64



Community Center St. Gerold

Cukrowicz Nachbaur

Compact

and Coherent

Thesmall rural mountain community of St. Gerold is located on the steep south-facing

slopes of the Great Walser Valley. Spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding

mountain ranges characterize the village . Historic buildings can be found in immediate

proximityto the site for the new community center: the listed school house isacross the

street, and the Benedictine priory of St. Gerold issituated downhill. Takingadvantage of

the terrain, the building's tall volume connects the street level to the existing play

ground which islocated just below. Thecommunity center's compact program isstacked

vertically over four stories and consists of a day-care center, a play room, the village

store, a multipurpose space, and the municipal off ices. The placement of individual

program elements was based on the frequency of their use aswell as

their

connection

to exterior spaces. The complex functional relationships within the building volume are

solved through the use of simple spatial and structural arrangements. The function and

location

of

individual spaces determined the careful placement

of

windows which offer

distinctive views

ofthe

landscape beyond. The community center's exterior appearance

is defined bythe variation between the uniform wooden facade surfaces and its selective

openings, which subtly reflect the building's dynamic internal organization.

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67



68 Community Center St.Gerold

construction

Thecommunity center is Vorarlberg's first four-story timber building. With the exception

ofthe concrete retaining walls, the entire structural system ismade of solid sawnlumber

which was predominantly harvested locally in the village's own forest. The community



opted for a sustainable and ecological design approach and made the conscious deci

sion to avoid the use of any building products containing toxic substances. During the

planning phase, all bui lding components were examined with regard to embodied

energy levels, global warming potential, and possible acidification. The goal of this

rigorous evaluation process was to optimize individual building assemblies in order to

reduce the CO

2

impact on the environment. In addition, all specified building materials

were reviewed to ensure their compliance with the establ ished design guidelines:

fluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons,

PVC,

tropical hardwoods from unsustainable

sources, and other harmful substances such as heavy metals were carefully avoided.

Consequently, sheep wool was employed for all thermal insulation needs rather than

mineral wool products, and PVC-free materials were usedfor the insulation andsheathing

of all mechanical services runs.

The building components for all structural applications and the facade were fabricated

from silver fir and spruce harvested in the community-owned forest. All interior silver

fi r

f inishes for floors, walls, and ceilings were verif iably produced from timber grown in

Vorarlberg. The interior and exterior surfaces remain untreated and thus guarantee

excellent indoor air qualities and a pollutant-free work environment. The processing of

all raw materials by regional businessesand the installation and assembly

of

all building

components by local bui lders closes the mater ia l cycle. The required amount of

embodied energy is significantly reduced, added value isgenerated and remains in the

region, and the personal engagement of local craftsmen creates a sense of identity for

those involved.

1

st

floor

Ground floor 1:200

2

nd

floor

8asement floor

I

-

II

II

1

:400

69

Energy

Concept

The community center was designed according to Austria's passive house standards,

which require a building's heating energy needs to be lessthan 15 kWh/m

2 a .

Dueto its

compact envelope, the build -up of individual components, and the careful development



of details, the building achieves values of

10.7

kWh/m

2 a .

Reduced operating and main

tenance costs can be expected as a result of the comprehensive opt imization of the

building concept. Heating and ventilation systems have been carefully designed to

meet the users' particular needs. Heating energy is suppl ied by a geothermal heat

pump while a mechanical ventilation system provides fresh air and regulates the neces

sary hygienic air changesthrough the use of

CO

2

sensors. Some87 percent of the energy

usually lost with the venting of exhaust air is recovered through a heat exchanger system.

Simulations showed that without cooling, a maximum indoor temperature of 25-4°Cwas

to be expected in the day-care center and playroom areas. However, these findings

were not problematic since the temperatures are statistically only reached on thirteen

days during the summer months when the affected spaces are not in use. A daylight

sensor controls and adjusts external blinds to prevent overheating through excessive

solar gain. The fit-out of the village store required the installation of several refrigeration

units whose resulting waste heat is fed into the building's energy system. Provision was

made for the integration of PV panels into the south facade. The future installation of

this system

will

allow the building to be almost completely self-suff icient through the

generation of its own electricity.

Important criteria for the implementation of passive house standards were the con

struction of an extremely airtight building envelope and the improvement of u-values.

The insulation thicknesses in exterior walls and roof range between 360 and 450 mm,

and all windows are triple-glazed and use stainless-steel spacers. The project was

supervised by the Envronmental Institute Vorarlberg (Umweltinstitut Vorarlberg) and

the EnergyInstitute Vorarlberg (Energieinstitut Vorarlberg), and was sponsored in part

by the European Union. The community center serves as an exemplary building with

regard to ecology, sustainability, and the creation of regional value.



71



72 Metzler Resdence. Rankweil-Brederis



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1 floor 1:400

75

landscape along the perimeter are intentionally kept small. The reflections on the water's

surface are combined with a reduced material palet te consist ing of fair-faced rein

forced concrete, granite, aluminum, glass, and zebrawood. While the extensive use of

concrete and exotic wood veneers is not entirely in keeping with the region's sustainable

approach to bui lding, the selected surface finishes unite all individual bui lding vol

umes. Minimal detailing with utmost precision emphasizes the sophisticated simplicity



of the residence.

Construction and Energy Concept

Site-cast, fair-faced reinforced concrete was used in the construct ion of the entire

building, while large spans were supplemented by steel columns where necessary.The

exterior facade and ceiling surfaces remain exposed and reveal the smooth, high-quality

concrete finish. Both the rooftop and inner wall surfaces were heavily insulated. Interior

walls were finished with gypsum board or zebrawood-veneered composite boards. Solid

granite was used for interior and exterior f loor surfaces, aswell aswall f inishes in the

bathrooms. The entire swimming pond enclosure was also lined with granite slabs.

The building's exposed concrete structure functions asthermal masswhich offers inertia

against temperature fluctuations. Through this, it provides a high degree

of

thermal

comfort in both winter and summer and plays an important role in the reduction of

energy usage. All windows are triple-glazed and use an external shading system to

prevent excessive solar heat gain. A geothermal heat pump supplies the building with

heat through an integrated underfloor heating system which can also be used for cooling

in the summer. The open fireplace in the living area serves asan additional heat source

during longer cold spells. provision has been made for the installation of solar collector

panels which

will provide the residence with hot water in the future. A centralized build

ing management system controls all heating , cooling, and electricity needs. The natural

swimming pond is not heated and is conceived asa self-regulating system. It is coupled

with a narrow regeneration reservoir which is located along the south edgeand is planted

with cattails and reeds. The pond water circulates continuously through this biological

filter zone which fulfills the function of water purification.



/

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79



80 SYSTEM3

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81

changing levels in temperature and humidityduring the transatlantic crossing. However,

these concerns quickly evaporated when the shipment arrived in New Yorkand the entire

system was assembled in lessthan a day without any complications.

The structure of the house consists of laminated spruce solid timber elements which

are 100 mm thick and guarantee good thermal and acoustic properties. Optional thicker

wall build-ups allow low-energy house or passive-house standards to be comfortably



I.

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I I I I

I I

I I I III

achieved. The latest CNC technology is employed to cut all openings out of each panel

and allows for rectangular, round, or any type offreeform shapes. Floor-to-ceiling open

ings are limited by the milling process since they would jeopardize the structural integrity

of each element, which needs to be rigid enough to be able to be transported and

craned into position during assembly. Future customers will be able to choose the num

ber, position, shape, and sizeof any openings without any increase in production cost,

resulting in no two units looking the same. During the fabrication process, supreme

craftsmanship was employed to achieve a very high level of quality and accuracy. The

efficiency of prefabrication was combined with the advantages of individual customiza

tion. All exterior woode n surfaces havebeen treated with a marine grade coating which

protects against the elements, yet is permeable and allows the timber elements to

breathe and release moisture to the outside. The exposed interior surfaces are simply

oiled which allows for easycleaning and maintenance . Inaddition to the house prototype

itself, the architects also specially designed furniture for the dwelling. The designs for a

table, a chair, and a bed were equally based on the idea of digital prefabrication.

Just like all

their

previous prefab prototypes, the architects conceived the individual

dwelling units as possible building blocks of a larger system which would allow the gen

eration of more sustainable living and working communities. Units with sizevariations

of 53 m

2

,

86 m

2

,

139 m

2

,

and 159 m

2

are anticipated. As long as vertical circulation

elements and services shafts are maintained in the same location, up to

thirty

units can

be stacked on top of each other and arranged to create a ten-story,

1,000

m

2

office

tower, the potential maximum configuration. For future production, Kaufmann and ROf

also envision a removable and changeable building skin system which will wrap the

individual units . Consisting of different layers of foils and membranes, it would serve as

waterproofing, thermal insulation, vapor barrier, and for energy generation through the

integration of photovoltaic cells.

After the MoMA exhibit ion in New York, the SYSTEM3 prototype was disassembled and

shipped back to Vorarlberg. It is now located in the Stadtgarten, a park in Dornbirn's

city center, and serves asan educational facility.

82

Rauch Residence Schlins

Planungsgemeinschaft Lehmhaus: Roger Boltshauser, Martin Rauch



Natural

Building

Located between the cities of Feldkirch and Bludenz, Schlins is a small community in

the walgau val ley. The village houses a number of early buil t examples by rammed

earth construction pioneer Martin Rauch, and through this, Schlins has established

itselfas a mecca for this experimental building typology. Ona trip to Africa in the early

1980s, Rauch became fascinated with the traditional local clay and earth construction

techniques. According to him, building with earth not only constitutes the most natural

approach when transforming terrain into habitable space, but the material also allows

the creation of improved interior climatic conditions with regard to humidity levels,

temperature swings, and electromagnetic fields. Combined with the unique aesthetic

character of heavily textured surface finishes, these enhanced qualities are often unsur

passed by other construction techniques. All these aspects begin to address today's

increased demand for truly ecological and sustainable building, and encouraged Martin

Rauchto revive the old methods which over time had been marginalized by industrial

ization and mass production.

His recently completed own residence with studio, designed in col laboration with

architect Roger Boltshauser, sets a new standard for contemporary rammed earth con

struction. Rauch'sexpertise in the field asbuilder and manufacturer was combined with

the architect 's concise design approach. The integration of the homogeneous and

massive rammed earth walls into an architecture which possessed appropriate spatial

and aesthetic qualities proved to be a challenging task. Respondingto the narrow site's

steep terrain through its materiali ty and form, the building's monol ithic volume has

literally been carved out of the hillside. The soil excavated on-site makes up 85 percent

of all building materials used for floors, vaulted ceilings, wall and ceiling finishes, stair

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84 RauchResidence, Schlins

treads, ceramic t iles, sinks, showers, and roof t iles. Since rammed earth is locally

available, completely recyclable, easy to process, and provides good insulation and

thermal mass,it offersunique ecological and sustainable properties like no other building

material. It also releases no harmful substances and keeps the relative indoor air

humidity at a constant 45 to 55 percent throughout the year. Concrete and masonry

structures in comparison require ten to twenty times more energy for fabrication, pro

cessing, and transport. Dueto its low embodied energy values and unlimited ability to



be recycled, rammed earth proves to be even more sustainable than timber.


Initially, all excavated material from the site was graded and then remixed to be used

for the various designated applications. The building's loadbearing exterior walls are

450 mm thick, extend over three stories, and remain unfinished on the outside.

Compacted in the formwork using jack hammers, their density and weight correspond

to the values of concrete. All rammed earth walls in contact with the ground havebeen

insulated with foam glass board and are waterproofed using a bituminous membrane.

The stratified character of the walls is further augmented by horizontal courses of clay

bricks that havebeen inserted at regular intervals. Slightly protruding beyond the walls'

exterior surface, they function asreinforcement and serve asdrip edgesto protect from

water damage. Structural considerations and daylighting strategies determined the

careful insertion of openings. All fixed glazing is flush with the walls' outside faces and

thus emphasizestheir thickness and stratified masson the interior. Asa protection from

the elements, any operable windows are recessed deep into their respective openings.

In contrast to other rammed earth builders, Martin

Rauch

made the conscious decision

to avoid the use of cement when building his own house. While this approach maxi

mized the reusability of materials and minimized the use of embodied energy, it made

the development of suitable structural and detai ling solut ions more challenging.

Nevertheless, the use

of

trass lime as hydraulic binding agent instead of cement al

lowed

Rauch

to achieve material qualities that are very similar to concrete.

.............

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85



2

1

Roof. U = 0.2 W m'K

30 mmfired clay t ile

Loosefill

Three-ply bituminous roofing membrane

25mm laminated veneer lumber board

200 mm reed mat insulat ion

Cork. trass lime. and earth mixture. laid to fall

Approx. 180mm solid-sawn timbers

15mm timber board

20 mmclay panel

10mm clay render

2

85mm rammed earth floor

Cork. trass lime. and earth mixture

Approx. 180mm solid-sawn timbers

15mm timber board

20 mmclay panel

10mm clay render

3

Renforced trass lime mortar bond beam

4

30 mmfired clay brick

5

450 mm rammed earth wall

100 mm reed mat insulation

30 mmclay render with integrated radiant

heating coils

Finishcoat

6

Fired clay tile upstand

7

80 mm rammed earth floor

115 mmcork. trass lime. and earth mixture

50 mmreed mat

Trasslime mortar

Folded vault structure. consisting of

fired clay tiles supported by 60 x 60 mm

structural steel tee sections

8

Two-ply bituminous waterproofing

membrane

100 mmfoamglass insulation

Single-ply bituminous waterproofing

membrane

450 mm rammed earth wall

9

100 mmtrass clay floor

180 mm cork. trass, lime. and earth mixture

200 mmgravel bed

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86 RauchResidence, Schlins

A covered entryway doubles ascarport and leads visitors into the residence. Theground

floor housesa separate studio apartment aswell asa storage space which opens up to

the site's rough rock formations. The ceiling above these spaces isformed by an innova

tive folded vault system: exposed structural steel T-sections support f ired clay tiles

which are topped with a trass lime

mortar mixture. The spiral staircase leading to the

upper floors issurrounded by untreated rammed earth walls and iscovered bya skylight

which is made of a vaulted clay roofstructure with embedded glass blocks. Cantilevering

freely from the walls, the 90 mm-thick stair treads consist of clay panels which have



been reinforced with steel wire and bonded with trass lime mortar. Upon arrival on the

first floor, the rough and earthy atmosphere ofthe lower level gives wayto the light and

airy living, kitchen, and dining spaces. A double-height studio space is

li t

from the north

with a large clerestory window, and two terraces open up to the surrounding landscape.

The rammed earth floors are waxed, window shutters and sliding doors have been

primed with a light-colored casein emulsion, and walls and ceilings are coated with a

clay render. Reinforced with a linseed mesh, this 30 mm-thick interior finish consists of

white clay and sand and contains heating coils, these are mounted on a

100

mm-thick

reed mat insulation that has been bonded with clay. Energyfor the radiant wall heating

coils and the domestic hot water supply is provided by the t iled stove in the kitchen,

solar panels on the roof, as well as a small pel let-fi red central heating system on the

ground floor. The second floor contains bedroom, bathroom, and home office, and is

characterized by a further refinement of surface finishes. The black and white patterned

floor and wall t iles in the bathroom were crafted by Martin Rauch's wife Marta, who

employed a traditional Japanese rakutechnique which is characterized by hand-molding

the clay, resulting in one-off pieces. Sinks and the shower are made

of

black fired clay.

The ceilings of both the first and second floors consist of local solid-sawn timbers which

are doweled together at regular intervals OQbeldecke and topped with a cork, trass

lime, and earth mixture. All ceilings rest on a reinforced trass lime mortar bond beam

which is embedded in the walls.



88

Gasthof Krone, Hittisau

Bernardo Bader



Old

and New

inHarmony

Since 1838,the landmark Gasthof Krone has functioned as a hotel and restaurant and

has enjoyed popularity among locals and visitors alike. Located in the small vil lage of

Hittisau in the Bregenzerwaldregion, its rzo-year old timber-framed structure dominates

the main square. Overthe centuries, the building hasundergone several refurbishments

and transformations. Many of the past changes have not been in keeping with its ver

nacular style and haveleft permanent impressions on the historic structure. During one

of the major renovations in 1966, the grand exterior stairs leading up to the second floor

were removed, and the excise offices on the ground f loor gave way to retail spaces

which stil l exist today. A lo t of the past improvements had aged noticeably over time,

which made many parts of the bui lding appear run-down and no longer funct ional. In

2005, the management of the family business was handed over to the third generation

of owners. With new ownership came the desire to refurbish many parts of the existing

building in order to update them to today's standards.

Vorarlberg's Bregenzerwald region is unique in the fact

that

despite its traditional way

of life, its inhabitants are open to new ideas. Overcenturies, a longstanding tradition of

craft helped to develop a regional ident ity which is sti ll very much alive today. At the

outset of the restoration, the owners made the conscious decision not to tender the

project , a process which typical ly leads to hir ing the bui lders who submit the lowest

bids. Rather, they chose to col laborate with thirteen businesses aff il iated with the

Werkraum Bregenzerwald initiative, with the goal of employing local craftsmen and

using regionally sourced materials. The individual team members contributed creative

ideas and thoughtful suggestions, stimulating each other throughout the process. The

resulting collective responsibility created a productive work environment, which resulted

in design solutions

that

were both traditional and unconventional. Within lessthan two

months, this team

of

dedicated craftsmen completed the refurbishment of the new

entrance and lobby, two new public sit ting rooms, and six hotel rooms. These newly

remodeled spaces now allow guests to experience and appreciate the region's unique

approach to design and its superior quality of craftsmanship.

1

:3000

89



90 Gasthof Krone, Hittisau

construction

Throughout this process, however, it was of utmost importance that any changes that

were made to the house should be in keeping with the original historic structure and

enhance its beauty, thus restoring it to its former glory. This endeavor required a high

level of sensitivity with regard to the existing building, but did not restrict the architect's

and the builders' confidence to pursue new and courageous ideas. Thejuxtaposition of

old and new avoids harsh contrasts,

but

rather celebrates the heterogeneous changes



and transitions the building hasundergone over time . Through this, unique architectural

solutions were developed

that

were only possible in this particular context.

Minimal improvements were made to the building's exterior. Onthe front facade, three

windows of the old assembly hall were reinstated to restore the proportions of the

elevation andthe rhythm of openings. Newfolding shutters were installed on all windows,

and the historic sign was refurbished. The exterior stairs of the original main entrance

on the second floor were a characteristic feature of the building's distinct vernacular

style, but had been removed in the 1960s to makeroom for the large continuous balcony.

Located in-between the retail spaces, the existingentrance on the ground floor appeared

quite gloomy through its dark interior millwork. This built-in cabinetry was removed to

make room for a light-colored wooden surround, which now marks the new entrance

and invites guests up to the first f loor. Merely separated by a glass door, the floor and

ceiling finishes in the entrance area appear continuous from outside to inside.

The old west-facing public sitting rooms on the second floor, the stuben, are popular

spaces and continue to be heavily used by the local population. Theyserved asinspira

tion for the refurbishment of the large assembly space across the hallway, which was

facing functional issues. Byremoving some of the interior partit ions and replacing all

surface finishes, spacious, partially open rooms were created which prove to be inviting

to both regulars and hotel guests. Through this, the space becomes functional for the

hotel's breakfast buffet and

a

la carte service, but also provides a suitable venue for

wedding receptions, special occasions, and large gatherings. In keeping with the his

toric structure, all walls and ceilings in the sitting rooms were clad with brushed solid

spruce and silver fir paneling, creating a contemporary appearance through the use of

traditional techniques. Solid elm was used for all custom-designed furnishings includ

ing chairs, banquettes, sideboards, and cabinets.

Six newly redesigned and carefully remodeled guest rooms are accessed through the

spacious hallway on the second floor. The complete renovation of the rooms ensured

that acoustic and thermal insulat ion, heating systems, and l ight ing concept were

updated to the latest modern-day comfort standards. A wooden feature element

combining wardrobe, luggage rack, and desk guides guests into the room and provides

a simple yet sophisticated look. The solid oak furniture's simple joinery details combine

function and ornament. Bright white walls and large windows provide an airy atmos

phere on entering the space. Silver fi r

wall

panel ing surrounds the more int imate

sleeping area, while warm tan-colored walls and natural stone finishes are found in the

bathroom. A bold interpretation of traditional values, the beautifully crafted guest

rooms are in keeping with the building's historic spirit.

91

As a combined team effort, the refurbishment of the

Gasthof

Krone marks a newmode

of cooperation between the local businesses.

The

project's successful completion

serves

as an excellent example of how local craftsmanship

has

helped to establish a

regional identity.Heavily based ontradition, it continues to flourish inthe

Bregenzerwald

region today.



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94 Sustainabili ty

The Timber House

Its excellent insulating properties make

timber

the obvious building material

of

choice

in the cold climate of the Alps, and it is much preferred over masonry construction.

[12J

The abundance of timber al lowed a t radi tion of craft and carpent ry to evolve over



1 Year01construction:

17 3

Palle 2: Farmhouses rn Bodete. Br genzerwald

centuries. The Bregenzerwald region in Vorarlberg boasts one of the best preserved

timber

construction traditions in Europe. Timber construction dominates in all parts of

the province, however, and it can be found not only in the mountainous regions, but

also at the shores of Lake Constance and the Rhine river valley. If allowed to dry out

properly, t imber-framed houses are extremely durable and can withstand even the

harsh conditions found in the mountains. Careful detailing and assembly techniques

can successfully protect untreated wooden building parts such as facades, windows,

and doors from rain, wind, and snow. Overtime, surfacesfacing the sun

will

be scorched

and turn a dark brown, whi le the shaded sides of a bui lding

will

turn a si lvery grey as

they age. By fol lowing rules

that

were established by craftsmen over centuries and

handed down from generation to generation, timber housescan last exceptionally long

periods of time. Some of the most successful examples in the Bregenzerwald region

date back to the seventeenth century. External influences, due to Vorarlberg's proximity

to other countries and its fragmented andvaried landscape, contributed to the evolution

of several different vernacular house types. This diversity was further enriched by the

walser people, who immigrated from the Swiss region

of

wallis

(Valais), bringing with

them their own rich timber construction tradit ion.

Timber was plentiful in the beginning of Vorarlberg's colonization, and one of the first

settlers' main tasks was the clearing of forests. From the Middle Ages to the end of

feudalism, timber for bui lding was assigned to the general populat ion by the rul ing

nobility. Beforefossil fuels were available,

timber

was the sole energy source, in addi

tion to serving as the predominant construct ion material and for the manufacture of

everydaygoods. Extensivelogging created a shortage, which led to the creation of strict

laws and limitations regarding its use.

[IJ

It istherefore no surprise

that

the origins

of

the

word sustainability can be found in eighteenth-century Europeanforestry regulations.

In his

1713

publication of Sylvicultura oeconornlca,' the first comprehensive treatise on

forestry, the German administrator HannB Carl von Carlowitz used the term nachhal

tend (sustainable) to formulate the concept of sustainability in forestry for the very

f irst time, and the idea of Nachhaltigkeit, or sustainability, gradually became more

widespread in Europeduring

that

century. [Il Vast areaswere reforested, measured and

divided , soils were evaluated, and plants and animals were classified, and the defores

tation was reversed. Forestryacademies were founded in Germany, France, and England,

and the term was eventual ly translated into other languages, resulting in the nine

teenth-century Englishterm sustained yield forestry, which would serve asthe source

for the word sustainability in the modern sense. Nevertheless,

timber

remained the

cheapest building material for Vorarlberg farmers into the nineteenth century. Almost

everything in and around the house was made of wood: the furniture, the paneling in

the parlor, the roof covering with several layers of shingles, the firewood for the stove,

most of the farming tools, and eventhe everyday footwear.

95



96 Susta

inability



3 B,egenzerw lderhauser in Hirschau

4 Momafone,hausIn SI. Gallenkirch

Traditional Houses

Bysubdividing and adding to init ially primitive one-room buildings, the varying farm

house types of the different Vorarlberg landscapes were developed. The traditional

farmhouse was not the end result of a closed development cycle, but it evolved with

constantly changing social and economic conditions. Certain periods throughout history

experienced significant changes and innovations. In the seventeenth century, the resto

ration of peace at the end of the Thirty Years'War meant an increase of prosperity and

populat ion, which resulted in larger and more magnificent homes. Then, intensive

97



farming practices in the nineteenth century forced farmers to increase their livestock,

which in turn required larger stables and more storage space for feed. Outbui ldings

were enlarged, and existing roof pitches were steepened in order to allow attic spaces

to hold more hay. [III] Four regionally different and distinctive farmhouse types developed

in Vorarlberg: the Rheintalhaus,' the Bregenzerwalderhaus,' the walserheus,' and

the Montafonerhaus.

The Rheintalhaus can be found in the settlements of the Rhine river valley, and is

characterized by its sweeping roofline and unique pent roofs, the klebedacher,' which

effectively protect the facades from rain. Bands of windows provide plenty of light for

textile manufacturing inside, while the masonry plinth contains the weaving chamber

and protects the

timber

structure from ground moisture.

[IV][6]

Possibly the most well

known Vorarlberg farmhouse type is the sregenzerwalderhaus of the Bregenzerwald

region in the eastern

part of

the province, which combines outbuildings and living

quarters under one single roof. While seventeenth- and eighteenth-century houses

were made of log walls heavily decorated with carvings and colorful murals, later exam

ples have been completely clad with wood shingles in order to protect the structural

timber

walls from wind and weather.

[3,7]

A unique characteristic of the aregenzerwalder

haus isthe Schopf, a covered porch on the ground floor which extendsthe living spaces

to the outside during the summer. Wooden shutters can be folded down to close the

porch off, thus making it a usable space in the winter and dur ing adverse weather

conditions. [v] [8] The narrow Walsertal valleys did not allow the interconnection of living

quarters and outbuildings, and therefore the walserhaus was developed as a stand

alone bui lding type. Using their own log wall construct ion tradition, the immigrated

Walser people erected their settlements on extremely steep sites which were at risk

from avalanchesand landslides. [VI][S]A hybrid timber and masonry construction technique

can be found in the traditional housesin the Montafon valley. The kitchen and entryway

of the Montafonerhaus often havesolid stone walls for increased fire protection, while

bedrooms and living spaces are enclosed by log walls. The whitewashed facades of the

masonry walls are often decorated with elaborate frescos. [VII

[4]

6 Rhemtalhaus m Oberdorf

7 Bregenzerwalderhaus ,n Egg

98

Sustainability



103

D I

2

llYn:

I



1

Roof. U:

0.10

W/m'K

10

mm two-ply bituminous elastomeric

membrane with granulated slate surface

2 x 120

mm mineral wool insulation

70 mm expanded polystyrene insulation.

la id to fall

Bituminous vapor barrier

27mm rough-sawn spruce boards. laid

diagonally

110x 280 mm timber rafters

280 mm suspended timber ceili nggrid

40 mm acoustical sheep wool insulation


20 x 40 mm silver fir strip acoustical ceiling

2

10mm two-ply bituminous elastomeric

membrane with granulated slate surface

60 mm laminated veneer lumber board

3

External textile shade

4

Triple-glazed wood framed window

5

Balustrade. U: 0.15W/m'K

30

mm rough-sawn silver fir cladding boards

70 mm furring strips with ventilated cavity

Building paper

18 mm fir sheathing

60-80 x 300

mmt imber posts with

300 mm thermal insulation in-between

19mm spruce laminated veneer lumber

board

Vapor retarder

50 mm services cavity consisting of

horizontal furring strips with sheep wool


12.5

mm gypsum board

20 mm silver fir paneling

6

22 mmoak parquet. oiled

58 mm screed

Vapor retarder

30

mm impact sound insulation

38

mm bed of bonded stone chippings

332

mm prefabricated ceiling panel.

consisting of laminated veneer lumber

board. laminated timber beams. and

40 mm sheep wool insulation

100 mm suspended ceiling

50 mmsheep wool insulation

15

mm fire-resistant gypsum board

278mm suspended timber ceiling grid

40 mmacoustical sheep wool insulation


20 x 40 mm silver fir strip acoustical ceiling

7

Floor (to unheated basement).

U : 0.30 W/m'K

22mm oak parquet. oiled

58 mm screed

Vapor retarder

30 mm impact sound insulation

70mm bed of bonded perlite

300

mm reinforced concrete slab

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104 Community Center Ludesch



1 floor

Jl

Basement 1:60 0

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105



106 Community Center Ludesch



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1:400

107

Energy Concept

In order to fulfill the demands of a truly ecological and sustainable building, the

community center was built according to the current Austrian passivehouse standard,

which stipulates that the heating energy needs cannot exceed

15

kWhjm

2a

. This impor

tant goal was achieved through the use of triple glazing, superior thermal insulation,

extremely airtight construction, as well as a mechanical ventilation system which

prevents excessive energy lossesthrough improper natural ventilation. A ground-water

pump is coupled with the venti lation system and exploits the water's year-round

constant temperature for heating inthe winter and cooling during the summer. If needed,

additional heating energy can be provided by the municipal biomass-powered district



heating system, which already supplies more than eighty households in the village.

Potable hot water is generated by the

30 m

2

solar collector system on the building's

roof. The large glazed canopy not only servesto protect the building and its users from

the elements, but its 35 0 m

2

of laminated safety glass hold translucent PV panels which

generate

16

, 0 0 0

kwh of renewable electricity annually. This amount of energy is fed

into the public grid and can power up to five households. The primary energy used for

the building's construction is less than 18 kWhjm

2

,

and constitutes about half of the

energy typically consumed by more conventional construction methods.

The community center's net construction cost amounted to

€

5.9 million. The decision

to use environmentally friendly materials instead of conventional building products

added

1.9

percent to the overall budget. Further expenses can be attributed to the

installation of innovative building services and the PV panel array. However,these addi

tional costs can be put into perspective when taking into consideration the building's

life expectancy, its reduced maintenance cost, additional subsidies received by the

local and federal governments, aswell asthe added income from electricity generation.

Thecommunity center's successful completion provestha t a sustainable and ecological

planning approach for public projects is possible without a significant increase in

construction costs.

108

Housing Development Fichtenweg, Bartholomaberg-Gantschier

Hans Hohenfellner

Compact

and



Cost-Efficient

sartholomaberg is a small community and tourism resort in the Montafon valley. The

region is extremely mountainous and famous for its hiking, skiing, and mountain-biking,

but

asyou might imagine, level building ground is scarce. Since the site of this project

was one of the few flat lots in the village and therefore very valuable, the client sought

to maximize the opportunity by increasing density. This terraced housing development

consists of six two-story units, each offering

103

m

2

of l iv ing space. Its compact and

cost-efficient design makes it attractive and affordable for younger generations to own

their f irst home and serves asa model for future growth in the area.

The individual units are accessed from the northeast side. This elevation appears solid

and introverted through the use of small windows which help to minimize excessive

heat lossduring the winter months. The opposite, southwestern facade opens up to the

surrounding landscape with generous amounts of glazing, roof terraces, and patio spaces,

thus taking advantage of any incident solar heat gain. Kitchen, dining, and living rooms

are located on the ground floor, while three bedrooms, a bathroom, and a generous

walk-in closet occupy the upper level of

each unit.

Even

though the housesare compact

in size, the interiors appear relatively spacious. The architect borrowed from the past by

employing space-making techniques used in the design and construction of traditional

farmhouses. Byplaying with proportions and window sill heights, he was able to create

1:2000



110 Housing Development Fchtenweg, sartholornaberg-aantschler



1:50

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separat ion layer

40-120 mm rigid insulation, laid to fall


90

x

220 mmt imber beams with

thermal insulation in-between

Vapor barrier

30 mmfurringstr ips

12.5 mm gypsum board

2

Double-glazed window in larch frame

3

Terrace, U =0.15W/m'K

30 mm larch slats

BO

mm substrate

Single-ply bituminous rubber membrane

60-100 mm rigid insulation, laid to fall

waterproofi ng membrane

22mm oriented strand board

90 x 220 mmt imber beams with


Vapor barrier

30 mm furring strips


4

Floor,U a 0.18W/m'K

15mm parquet flooring

60 mmscreed with integrated

underfloor heating system

Vapor retarder



90 x 220 mmt imber beams with


Vapor barrier



5

Exterior wall, U = 0.25 W/m'K

20

x

66 mm larch cladding boards

24mm ventilated cavity

Vapor retarder

16mm fiberboard

180mm insulated timber panel


Vapor barrier

30 mmfurring strips

2

x


6

Floor, U = 0.23 W/m'K

15mm parquet flooring

60 mmscreed with integrated

underfloorheating system

Vapor retarder

140 mm rigid thermal insulation


1BO

mm reinforced concrete slab

111

a sense of spaciousness in eventhe smallest room. Openings are cut into the elongated

building volume to form intermediate spaces in-between the individual units. These

covered outdoor areas simultaneously function as carport, covered entrance, and

screened private seating area, and consequently provide the inexpensive and compact

homes with a large amount of flexible transitional space.

Each

unit has its own basement

level which contains all service connections, including the hook up to the development's

central heating system.


The prefabricated timber panel system with highly insulated flat roofs rests on a



reinforced-concrete basement, and was designed according to Vorarlberg's Oko r

guidelines. A system of non-loadbearing interior partit ion walls allows a maximum of

flexibility and customization since owners can resizespaces according to their individual

needs. Continuous horizontal larch cladding forms the exterior envelope and unifies the

individual units into one large yet compact building volume. Overtime, sun and rain will

weather the wooden boards providing the building with an evengray-brown patina.

The housing development is equipped with a 26 kWcentral wood-pellets heating system

which supplies all six units and is housed in a communal basement space. Increasing in

popularity, pellets are a type ofwood fuel made from compacted sawdust asa byproduct

of sawmilling. Wood pellets burn with a very high combustion efficiency and also provide

a CO

2-neutral

solut ion, since the quant ity emitted during combust ion is equal to the

amount absorbed bythe tree during its growth. A 50 m

2

solar collector with large buffer

storage supplies the entire development with domestic hot water. Through its mini

mized footprint on the site, compact volume, and energy efficiency, the housing project

offers a sensible alternative to the typical detached single-family houses which signifi

cantly contribute to the sprawling and uncontrolled development throughout the region.

2

nd

floor

1

floor

1

:500

112

Community

Center

RaggaL

Johannes Kaufmann

Retaining Regional

Value



Raggalis a village of about goo inhabitants in the remote GreatWalser Valley.Thesmall

rural mountain community sought to unite all its necessary municipal services under

one roof. The competition-winning design for the new community center proposed a

single-story building facing the village's main square, which then rises to a three-story

volume towards the north by taking advantage of the site's topography. The building

complements the overall ensemble of church, school, and inn, and at the same time

preserves the spectacular panoramic view from the square. Asa result, important visual

relationships between the existing buildings can be retained, and the village's historic

fabric remains intact.

The bui lding's pitched roofl ine was determined through the spatial arrangement of

programmatic functions, most importantly the north-facing community council board

room on the top floor. Municipal offices, tourist information, family counseling, and the

community kitchen are on the ground floor which can be easily accessedfrom the main

square. Theseparately accessible lower level housesa band rehearsal room, mechanical

service spaces, and a biomass-powered heating plant.



116 Community Center Raggal



2

0

• floor

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Ground floor 1:400

,

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117

Energy Concept

The architect's goalwas not to try to achieve the Austrian passive

house

standard at all

cost,but hestill employed techniques and technologiesthat

reduce

energy consumption.

A compact

volume,

airtight

envelope assembly,

triple

glazing

, timber wall

panels

with

32 0

mmof insulation, and amechanical ventilation system with heat recovery make the

community center a low-energy building. Nonetheless, large north-facing windows

open

up to the surrounding

landscape

and take advantage of the viewinto the valley

below. A biomass-powered heating plant in the basement runs mostlyon

wood

chips

and supplies heating energy to not onlythe newstructure, but also seven additional

buildings in the village .



Northeast elevation 1:400

1

1:400

The community center is considered to be the product of a successful collaboration

between

everyone involved: a localarchitectwho

understands

the

needs and desires

of

the

community,

a client whotrusts and

respects

the architect, and finally

professional

consultants and skilled craftsmen - all of whom contributed to the

smooth

planning

and

construction

process.

Northwest elevation

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118

Housing Development Sandgrubenweg, Bregenz

Gerhard Horburger,

Helmut

Kuess,

Wolfgang Ritsch,

Norbert

Schweitzer

Sustainable Living

Each of the four four-story blocks contains five uni ts per f loor and is accessed by a



centralized staircase and elevator. The buildings' gently curved geometries are a com

bined result of urban planning, the site'stopography, andthe desire to maximize incident

solar radiation.

Based

on a system of overlapping sine curves, this arrangement ensures

that the buildings do not cast shadows over each other. The positioning of the volumes

on the site, the far-reaching views from the generous terraces, and the adjacent park

with its large trees contribute to generating an almost rural setting. The housing devel

opment offers a comprehensive set of amenities to its residents, which include bicycle

rental, laundry service, shopping service, moving assistance, and even car sharing.

The low-energy housing development with 75 owner-occupied units served as a pilot

project and aims to translate the qualities of single-family housing into a multi-family

residential project . One of the key aspects was to offer a modular architecture with

maximum flexibility that would allow future owners to customize their f loor plans

according to individual needs. Initially, potential customers were able to choose a floor

plan size between 30 and

200

m

2

, which they werethen able to partit ion and arrange as

desired. While standard floor plan layouts were developed, buyers were able to cus

tomize their future apartments by choosing from a catalogue of options and upgrades,

which included furnishings, fixtures, information technology and communication equip

ment, aswell as colors and finishes. In this way, the owners were able to visualize the

1:2500

119



120 Housing

Deve

lopment Sandgrubenweg, Bregenz

designof their own individual units at anearly stage,and it alsoallowed them to establish

a precise financial budget. Equally as important as the initial customization was the

abili ty to facil itate f loor plan changes at a later date by removing internal parti tion

walls, which required extensive forethought with regard to services integration and

aestheticsduringthe design phase.

Each

unit should beable to grow

old with

its owner

by adapting to changing user requirements over time. Even though this framework

allows for a high degree offlexibility for the individual units, the overall exterior appear

ance of the entire building volumes remains consistent and unaffected. While windows

and doors can be arranged according to individual preference, the continuous terraces

lining the buildings' perimeters, as well as the movable perforated metal shutters,

compensate for any irregularities in the elevations.

The housing development is part of a comprehensive research project called inkl.



wohnen (all-inclusive living), which was initiated by the client - an investor and prop

erty developer - in order to explore opportunities in the sustainable development of

multi-family residential buildings. The study was supported by the Austrian Federal

Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology as part of its Building of Tomorrow

program, which pursues clearly defined goals such as improved energy efficiency, the

use of renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly building materials, as

well as increased consideration of user needs and services, while at the same time

keeping to a budget that is comparable to conventional construction methods. A team

of experts from various disciplines including architecture, urban planning, building bio

logy, building ecology, building physics, facility management, information technology,

aswell as psychology and sociology closely collaborated on this project. The objective

of the study was to develop a holistic approach for multi-family housing developments

by including a number of specific features and offering a range of high-quality services.

It was determined that the resulting innovative concept should be implemented with a

particular focus on life-cycle costs, sustainability, and the creation of long-lastingvalue,

but without incurring additional costs for the occupants despite the improved services.

11\

floor 1:600 2

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floor 3'· floor

4' 1oor

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122 Housing Development Sandgrubenweg, Bregenz

2

Triple glazing U = 0.70W m 'K

(Building B, low-energy standard)

4

3

Sliding shutter

1

Roof,U = 0 .115 W m 'K (Building B,

low-energy standard)

Hydro seeds includingsedum

100mm extensive substrate

Drainage channel

Protection and storage mat

340 mm rigid thermal insulation

Vapor barrier

Fbrous mat

2BOmm reinforced concrete slab, laid to fall

- t ~

fl

f- 3

- 2

I

-----------------

1

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5

External textile shade

8

Exterior wall, U =0.145W m 'K (Building B,


19 mm larch laminated veneer lumber board

60 x 40 mmfurringstri pswithventil ated cavity

in-between


200 mmt imber framing with thermal insulation

in-between

15mm gypsum fiberboard

60 x 50 mm furring strips with thermal

insulat ion in-between

12.5mm gypsum board

7

27 x 100 mm timber decking

27x 100 mm furring strips

60

x

100 mmfurring stripson height-adjustable

pedestals

waterproofing membrane

Fbrousmat

280-

370 mm reinforced concrete, laid to fall

Siding shutter track

6

Floor, U = 0.169W m'K (Building B,


15 mm parquet

60 mmscreed

Vapor barrier

30 mm sound impact insulation

150mm rigid thermal insulation

280 mm reinforcedconcrete slab

I

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123

Construction

A reinforced-concrete frame consisting of slabs and columns forms the buildings'

structural system, which rests on the communal underground reinforced-concrete

parking garage. The non-loadbearing exterior and interior walls, aswell asthe privacy

screens between individual terraces, are made of prefabricated timber panels. Rather

than being glued, these are mechanically fastened to ensure ultimate flexibility. The

facade panels are clad in untreated larch and allow window and door openings to be

easily moved and relocated. Movable interior timber panel partitions allow for easy

adaptation to changing user requirements over time. Deepfloor and ceiling build-ups

accommodate building services and facilitate flexibility, while adequate room heights

of

2.65

m allow optional ventilation ducts to be suspended from the ceiling. Conven

tional chasestypically necessary to supply bathrooms and kitchens could be avoided.



The only vertical elements are wastewater pipes and rainwater downpipes, which are

concentrated in several locations. Moveable, powder-coated and perforated metal

sheet shutters along the buildings' per imeters serve as sun-shading devices. In

combination with the continuous terraces, they allow the creation of individualized

outdoor living spaces and opportunities for retreat without changing the buildings'

overall exterior appearances.

Energy Concept

Three

ofthe

four buildings were designed according to Vorarlberg's

oko

2 guidelines.

In order to quali fy for f inancial assistance under this initiat ive, the buildings had to

comply with a number of str ict ecological guidelines, including a reduced heating

demand of 35 kWhjm

2 a

or less, which is considerably lower than that for s imi lar

conventional residential buildings being completed at the sametime . A central wood

pellets heating system supplies all apartments with heat through the integrated

underfloor heating. Each residential unit has its own control panel which is used to

simultaneously regulate room air temperature and monitor energy consumption. Own

ers were able to select a mechanical ventilation systemwith heat recoveryasan optional

upgrade at the time of purchase.

The fourth building is the f irst multi-family residential bui lding in Austria to be built

according to Vorarlberg's oko 3 passive house guidelines, which stipulate a heating

demand of only 15 kWhjm

2a

or less.

Even

though highly desirable, it proved to be

problematic to design all four buildings according to this rigorous standard. The fact

that the build ings are located on a north -facing slope made it d if ficu lt to take ful l

advantage of significant solar heat gain. In addition, only 20 percent of the future resi

dents agreed to have a mechanical ventilation system installed, a feature necessary to

reducethe heating demandto the required value.While the other three buildings benefit

ed from certain passive house features such astriple glazing, only the fourth was com

pleted in its entirety according to the strict conventions of the passive houseregulations.

The housing development sets a new standard in multi-family residential construction.

As the outcome of an extensive research study, the project serves as an excellent

example for the successful and comprehensive integration of economical, ecological,

social, and health-related concerns. Data and knowledge on performance and use will

be collected during the next several years, and will be particularly helpful in improving

and advancing the concept for future multi-family residential developments.



126 Secondary School Klaus-Weiler-Fraxern

after a record-breaking planning and construction period of only eighteen months. With

a heating energy demand of less than 1S kWh/m

2 a,

the bui ld ing is the f irst school in

Austria to comply with Vorarlberg's stringent passive house energy standards.

The t-shaped building volume isslightly set backfrom the main road, and in combination

with the existing gymnasium forms a square in front which is shielded from the street by

a line of trees. The narrow bar facing the public square housesthe covered main en

trance and double-height assembly hall on the ground floor, aswell asthe communal

l ibrary on the upper level. It blocks the classrooms and schoolyard behind from any

street noise. The school's double-loaded main volume contains twelve regular class

rooms on two levels along the eastern edge, whereas adminis trat ive spaces and

special-purpose classrooms are located on the west-facing side. A three-story atrium

nextto the central corridor allows daylight to penetrate down to the lower level through

a wide skylight above. Individual bridges connect the classrooms to the east, while a



zone

of

service spaceswhich includes bathrooms and fire stairs lines the corridor onthe

west side. The skylights and

tall

built-in coat racks break down the central circulation

zone into smaller spaces and transform the long corridor into a lively meeting space

during recess. The bridge connections feature glass balustrades and allow oblique

views through the atrium space. Someof the terrain was carved out around the building

to provide the workshop spaces on the lower level with sufficient daylight. A wide bed

of gravel stretches through the entire lower floor right below the atrium void.

Ground noor 1:1000

.....

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floor

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=

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128

Secondary

Schoo l Klaus -weiler-Fraxern

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,

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2

Ventilation and smoke vent

3

Roof,

U • 0

.11 W/m'K

100 mm extensive green roof


300 mm rock wool thermal insulation

Vapor barrier


520-380 mm laminatedtimber beams,

laid to fall


12mm suspended birch plywood ceiling

9

Aluminum louver blind

10

Window,U • 0.76

w/m'K

Triple glazing in wood frame

11

3 mmepoxy resinfloor finish

60 mm screed

25mm impact sound insulation

50mmfil l

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x

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timber

beams with

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240 x 380-520 mm laminated timber beam

5

220 x 640 mm laminated timber beam

6

540 x 60 mm laminated timber window reveal

7

Triple glazing

8

3

mm epoxy resinfloor finish

60 mm screed

25mm impact sound insulation

50

mmfill

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80

x

380 mm laminated timber beams with

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12mm suspended birch plywood ceiling

12

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U

=

0.11

W/m'K

20 mm untreated silver fir cladding boards


40 mmfurringstr ips

Wind paper

2 x 40 x 60 mmfurringstrips with rock

wool insulation in-between


180 mm laminated timber beamwith

180 mm rock wool insulat ion in-between


vapor barrier

84mm furring str ips with 50 mmrock

wool insulation in-between

12mm birch plywood board

130 Secondary School Klaus-weiler-Fraxern

construction

Despite the

tight

schedule, the architects avoided a conventional design solution but

instead opted for the development of a sustainable building concept with high spatial

qualities and attention to detail. The compact and clearly structured building volume

helped to reduce cost and maximize energy efficiency. The school's simple yet spatially

interesting arrangement is rooted in the economy of the chosen prefabricated structural

timber box elements. Made of locally harvested silver fir, they rest on the site-cast con

crete basement while their exterior is clad with untreated silver

fi r

boards. The offsite

prefabrication of the timber elements, the avoidance of elaborate and costly foundation

piles due to the structure's l ightweight nature, the fast on-site installat ion, and the

elimination of drying times facilitated the project's very short construction time.

The structural system of the entrance and assembly hall volume consists of laminated



timber beams and columns which also support the completelyglazed facade. The build

ing's south-facing elevation had to be protected from excessivesolar heat gain. Rather

than employing louvers which would havecompromised the view of the Rhineriver valley

below, the architects opted for a corrugated and perforated copper screen with an

open area of 30 percent. Supported by a separate steel frame structure, this light

weight metal veil shields the spaces behind while allowing visual connections to the

outside. Throughout the day,the screen appears defensive, lending the building a solid

appearance. During evening events, however, the building glows and allows filtered

views of the inside. Sun shading to the west- and east-facing classroom windows is

provided by automated external blinds which can also be individually controlled by the

users if necessary. A band of operable windows is located below the fixed glazing at the

eye level of seated students. They retain views to the outside, but are well-protected

from the sun by being set far back from the main facade plane. All interior spaces are

extensively clad with birch plywood panels, which help to generate a warm atmosphere.

Concrete floors are found in the assembly hall and the lower level, while the upper

stories havea red epoxy resin floor finish, a vibrantcontribution to the otherwise muted

color palette.

EnergyConcept

The close collaboration between the local authorities, the architects, the consult ing

engineers, and the participating construction firms allowed the development of a highly

sustainable and energy-efficient building concept. Byselecting environmentally-friendly

building materials, by constructing a compact, well insulated and airt ight envelope,

and by install ing a passive heating and ventilation system, it was possible to limit the

building's heating energydemandto

15

kWh/m

2a

, thus complying with Vorarlberg'spassive

houseenergystandards.Thermodynamic simulations were conducted during the planning

phase to assure the achievement of target values. Continuous monitoring during the

first two years of operation has shown

that

the building performs even better than anti

cipated, since the heating energy demand for the entire complex is only

11.4

kWh/m

2 a .

The facades are highly insulated through the use of triple-glazed windows and the

application of 3 0 0 mm rock wool insulation in roof and wall panels. The assembly hall

and libraryspaces - which do not meet passive house energy standards - are equipped

with a low-temperature underfloor heating system. All remaining spaces are heated

and cooled through the centrally controlled ventilation system. Equipped with a heat

exchanger, the system recovers around 85 percent

of

the heat from the discharged

exhaust air. A ground source heat exchanger, consisting of 27 polyethylene pipes, each

131

26 m longwith a diameter of 4 0 0 mm, is located in the ground below the assembly hall.

This system preheats or precools the intake air according to the seasons to about

18·C,

making any addit ional air conditioning unnecessary. A bypass system allows air to

directly enter the building if exterior temperatures are around

18

to 20 ·C . Supplemental

heating energy is currently supplied by a condensing gas boiler, which will eventually be

replaced by a biomass-powered heating plant run on wood chips. While an electric

water heatergenerates hot water, provision has been madeto connect the water system

to solar col lectors in the nearfuture. A total of

24 0

m

2

of

PV

panels have been installed

on the roof and deliver 20 kWp which are fed into the public grid. Rainwater is collected

and used for the sprinkler system. The entire bui lding is control led by a bus system

which ensures optimal performance of heating, cooling, ventilation, sunshading, and

lighting systems.

All these strategies havecontributed to a reduction of the building's energyconsumption



of about 75percent , while increasing the overall construction budget by merely 3 percent

compared with a conventional building. Through successful completion of this pilot

project, the local authorities of Klaus, Weiler, and Fraxern have demonstrated their

commitment to the environment and the conservation of resources. The new school

building has already received several awards for its architectural qualities and energy

efficiency.

roof

bypass supply air

t outgoing air library

I

level

level 0

level -,

= ;>

<:=

~

~

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t l

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classroom classroom classroom classroom library

~

:

-iII i i i- ' I

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t

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air supply

class room clas sroom classroom classroom

ground source

heat exchanger

~ I

¢ z I

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: i l I l'

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boiler ..,

~

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classroom classroom

o exhaust air

supply air

• outgoing a ir

fresh air

ffi ] sound absorber

Iil volume now controller

central ventilation station

classroom wing

control valve/fire dampe

mshut -offnap

I hea ti ng reg is te r

central ventilation collector

station library

rotary heat exchanger

(heat recovery)

cross now heat exchanger

(heat

recovery)

collec tor



•

onstruction

ystems



Housing Development Miihlweg, Vienna

Exporting Expert ise


Hugo Kleinbrod Chapel, Lustenau

The Church Comes to

the

people

Hugo Dworzak

Tschabrun Logistics Center, Rankweil

Al l About Wood

Christian Lenz

Hospital Dornbirn

F

loat

ing Feat

herweight

Gohm & Hiessberger

Nordwesthaus, FuBach

Light and Shadow

Baumschlager Eberle

134 Construction Systems

, rrn Fanghousing development, Hlichs . 1979

(Arch,tektengeme ,nschaft

coocerauve)

Vernacular Timber Construction

Dueto the prevalence

of

timber and the region's carpentry tradition, several vernacular

construction techniques were developed in vorarlberg. The careful evolution of these

principles over centuries led to buildings with life spans of

200

to 300 years, and many

outstanding structures haveendured the test of time and are still standing. The Stander

bohlenbau, a post-and-beam construction method, is the oldest timber construction

technique in Vorarlberg, and only a few examples have survived . [4] Derived from a

construction practice where vertical posts were simply driven into the ground, later

techniques rested the posts on a masonry foundation in order to keeptimber elements

awayfrom moisture. Postsand beams make upthe structural framework, and horizontal



Page132 Halde II housing development Bludenz H ~ a v y

masonry walls filled in with a lightweight

limber

framed floor

and wall system (Hans Punn)

timber planks80 -120 mm in width form the walls. Theseare slotted into verticalgrooves

which have been cut into the posts.

[IJ

The standerbohlenbau uses considerably less

wood than the much larger log construction, and was therefore mostly used for out

buildings such as hay barns and stables.

[III

The slockbau, or log construction, isthe building technique most commonly usedfor

traditional farmhouses in Vorarlberg. Timber members are stacked horizontally and

linked in the corners using cogged joints. The Kopfstrick, or locked lap

joint,

is the

oldest cornering technique, and the members extend beyond the wall faces at the

corners. [2] Bythe end of the eighteenth century, this type of connection was gradually

replaced by the Schwalbenschwanzstrick or dovetail joint, which featured a flush

corner. [31 Hardwood pegswere inserted into the logsto interlock the individual courses,

creating a structure of great rigidity. [III] With increasing industrialization, the availability

of mass-produced inexpensive nails allowed the facades to be clad with a scale-like

shingle skin that effectively protected the structural members from rain.

When thinking of traditional European houses, the typical Fachwerkbau, or timber

frame construction, usually comes to mind. Thissystem consists of a structural frame

work which is fil led in with wattle, clay, and chopped straw. Vorarlberg is, in fact, the

only Austrian province that possesses a significant number of these types of buildings,

due to its geographical location at a point where different construction techniques

meet, making for an interesting mix of styles. However, timber-framed houses were

mostly b

uilt

in areas rich with deciduous trees, since these predominantly produced

short structural members. construction systems such as post-and-beam construction

and log construction were prevalent in Vorarlberg, taking advantage of the abundance

of coniferous trees which provided long and straight members.

[IV]

135



2 Rh int al haus In schnihs

built

u on th

to construcuon

techniqu


5 Stuccohidesthe limber framework of a farmhouse In R6this

Change in Tradition

The building codes of various periods in history appear to have discouraged timber

construction. Inthe Middle Ages, many cities introduced bans against the use oft imber

as a building material and roof covering, mainly as a means of fire prevention. These

regulations had litt le success, since entire cit ies burned down time and again. Mean

while, most houses in the countryside continued to be built exclusively out of

timber

until the end

ofthe

nineteenth century.

[v)

Vorarlberg's timber construction tradit ion was put to the test with the rise of the

bourgeoisie and the establishment

of

new values inthe late nineteenth century. Sud

denly, timber houses conveyed an image of poverty and were out of fashion, since they

were considered a sign of belonging to the working class. In addition, it became popular

belief

that timber

was an ephemeral and perishable building material, even though

thousands of historic timber buildings proved otherwise. Masonry homes were the new



6-8 Estatehouses built with the tradnional log construction

technique. Altach. 1934-35 (Hermann xeckers)

7

--

--

'

8

status symbol ofthe middle and upper classes and became the prevalent building type.

Asa result, many

timber

houseswere covered up with stucco after the fact in order to

makethem look like their more expensive masonry neighbors.

[VIJ(S.9)

The advantages of timber construction were rediscovered in times of economic hard

ship. Between the First and Second World Wars, the distinguished Austrian architect

Clemens Holzmeister published his essay Der Holzhausbau, or Timber House Con

struction, which discussed the decline

of

the

timber

construction

tradition.

In his

publication, Holzmeister presents numerous encouraging examples of successful old

timber

buildings, manyof them in Vorarlberg, and points the way to a new era oft imber

construction. Above all, he points out the posit ive impact of managed forestry and the

use of locally available resources on the economy in times of crisis. In the 1930S, the

Austrian federal government launched a building program to battle the housing shortage

and rising unemployment. Across the country, the creation

of

new housing estates at

the perimeters of existing settlements was aimed at providing jobs and housing for the

unemployed andshort-term workers. Eight of these estateswere developed in Vorarlberg,

and all of the homes were

built

using traditional log construction techniques with

members

12 0

mm thlck.nv-zo) The large amount of readily available labor allowed for

cost-effective prefabrication. Additionally, the chosen

timber

system allowed future

owners to contribute approximately

1,500

hours of the ir own t ime and labor to the

construct ion of their home. This set a new precedent, and architects in Vorarlberg

would usethis combination of professional, industrialized prefabrication with unskilled

do-it-yourself labor for the construction of residential projects in the future.

[VIIJ(6-8)




10 11 rrnFang hOUSlnR development. Hochst. 1979

(Arch.tektengemeinschaft Cooperative)

A New Era

Timber construction finally experienced a revival in the 1960s, when a group of young

architects started practicing in Vorarlberg. Hans Purin, Rudolf Wager, Jakob Albrecht,

Gunter Wratzfeld , and Leopold Kaufmann designed

timber

houses, which, through their

lack

oftraditional

elements in combination with open floor plans, flat roofs, and unusu

ally large windows, received a

lot

of criticism among the general population. Leopold

Kaufmann remarks: My first projects - in the sixties - had neither the proper roof, nor

the proper form, nor the right windows . The result was

that

my neighbors no longer

greeted me after attending SundayMass. [VIII) With their designs, they formulated alter

natives to the prevalent local provincialism, which was the result of misguided formal

interpretations of the historic building stock. [IX) Rudolf Wager states : I consciously

attempted to build in opposition to traditional tendencies. During my apprenticeship as

a carpenter, I realized how thought less the so-cal led traditional construction had

become. These stereotypical houses were not really traditional buildings ... I did not



11

want to derive newpossibilities andvariations in a well-behaved and consistent manner,

but needed to oppose this thoughtlessness.

[X)[12)

The architects established a dialogue

with the region's rich timber building tradit ion and used the carpentry trade's crafts

manship skills asa basisfor their newtimber-frame construction systems. Working with

timber also meant that buildings had to be well constructed, and particular attention

had to be paid to the correct assembly of wal ls and roofs. Space-making began with

designing the structural system, which played an important role asan expressive visual

element.

Vorarlberg's population is known asbeing thrifty andhardworking, andits motto schaffa,

schaffa,

HOsIe

baua translates to Work, work, and build a

little

house. While the

single-family home continued to be the prevalent housing type, the strong desire for

home ownership contributed to urban sprawl and put home owners under enormous

financial pressure. An important question arose among architects: who are we building

for

if

most people cannot afford their own house?Hans Purin, one of the pioneers of the

new architecture movement, offered a solut ion to the problem with the design of the

housing estate

Halde

in Bludenz in 1964. A framework of massive masonry walls was

provided, which could then be filled in by future residents using a system of lightweight

timber-framed f loors and wal ls , a llowing the owners to

complete

approximately

20 percent of the construction themselves. The project served asan excellent example

for simple, cost-efficient, and collaborative building. According to Austria's most well

known architectural critic Friedrich Achleitner, the Halde housing estate still belongs

to the most respectable achievements in Austrian residential construction. (XI] [13-1S The

newly formed Cooperative, a group of young architects consisting of Dietmar Eberle,

Wolfgang Juen, Markus Koch, and Norbert Mittersteiner, used a similar approach in

1979when designing the lrn Fang housing estate. In cooperation with their clients,

they were looking to develop alternative ways of living and building together. Timber

was the building material of choice, since it was easyto process

without

the need for

heavymachinery or highlyskilled workers, and also allowed for simple structural systems

139




13-15 Halde housing developments. Bludenz.

19&t

(;7 (Hans

Pu n)

with a large amount of f lexibility. While professional carpenters erected the primary

timber-framed structure, the floors, walls, glazing, winter gardens, and cladding were

completed bythe young architects and future residents. This made the project financially

viable for everyone involved and allowed for individual variations and the creation of

communal living spaces unprecedented on the housing market at

that

time. [XIII][1.10-11)

At t imes, the simplest, most eff ic ient way to produce a part icular bui lding element

influenced design decisions more than purely formal aspects, which resulted in a new

aesthetic that was initially rejected bythe general population andthe building authorities.

Although the new timber houses were disparagingly called chicken coops or barns,

since their appearance contradicted the popular expectations of a privately owned

home at

that

time, the experience gained in working onthese low-cost projects allowed

the architects in Vorarlberg to develop professional and logistic skills

that

addressed all

aspects of the building process. The quality of the built environment reached a new level,

which ultimately impressed and increasingly convinced the large building cooperatives,

construction companies, and local authorities. The resulting simplicity, rationality, and



14

15

minimal aesthetic were not the product oftheoretically applied ideas, but the outcome

of a profession aspiring to make a step-by-step transition from traditional craftsmanship

to customized industrial fabrication. Straightforward modern construction methods

were employed , with the goal of minimizing the use of material while generating a

maximum amount of enclosed space. Onceunderstood, this approach suited the native

population's highly developed sense of value for money.

[XIV)

The architects' approach was supported by local building law which differed from the

rest of Austria, since Vorarlberg did not require an architectural license to submit a

bui lding permit for approval. As a result, the members of the Cooperative, aswell as

many other individuals including Hermann Kaufmann, Helmut Dietrich, Carlo Baum

schlager, and Wolfgang Ritsch, were able to start bui lding right out of architecture

school without havingto go through anytype of extended internship training. Eventually,

the new movement became so popular and successful that the Austrian architects'

registration board felt the need to intervene, since the designers neither sat the state

registrat ion exam nor paid any of the high membership fees. In an act of civ il disobe

dience, a group of sixteen rebellious planners united to form the Gesellschaft Vorarl

berger BaukOnstler (Society ofVorarlberg Building Artists). Threeof its members were

already facing legal action, and the newly founded association consolidated funds to

cover

their

legal fees. The ent ire controversy about the right to pract ice was widely

debated in the media, and in the end resulted in a compromise between the nat ional

board and the group. [xv)

141

I .

VI

lech, Hollbaulen

In

Vo arlbe g.

7

I

rt;

IMu

h v

\I

III

1\ Lande und val kund Geschlc hl Will cna]:

und 1

\ la r a r lb g

8and

111.

q

IV agmei

ter , HolloaukunSlln

vorartberq.

V Ibid .. 5.

VIII

Kapfmge,.

ConS/fuCllve Provocal,on.

47

I lech

Hollbaulen ,n

vorartberq

fI n

OokumenlOl/on

de

lel l l n 0Jah

0

IbId.

°

I F fl ed fl ch Achle lne,. OSlerrelch,sche Arch leklur

,m 0

. sonmunaen 80nd

I

(SallburgfVl

nna: ReSidenz

Verlag. 1980),

399.

XII

1

ch,

Hollbau len In vororlberg

4' 52.

XIII Kapfinger, -The vorarlberg School of Arctntecture. 13.

XIV Ib'd . •24

XV Ibid ..

13-15.

In

vot sru 9 .il r ul u

The new

timber

construction movement can be considered a contemporary answer to

Vorarlberg's existing building traditions, and

it

served asthe basisfor the region's unique

architectural renewal. With wide acceptance in the populat ion, the local architects

have moved away from merely designing and building single-family houses and are

taking on larger commissions including schools, office buildings, industrial facilities,

fire stations, museums, and multi-family housing. Since timber does not always offer

the most suitable solutions for many of these building tasks, the architects are increas

ingly looking to steel, concrete, and masonry. Through building predominantly with

t imber, they have developed a rigor and expertise as part of their discipl ined design

processthat hasprovenusefulwhen employingother building materials andconstruction

techniques. Thisalso applies to the building trades, and it is particularly evident in the

carpenters' skil lful design of concrete formwork, which leads to fair-faced finishes of

exceptionally high quality. While a large percentage of new buildings continue to be

primarily constructed out of t imber, the impulses init iated by the second generation

pioneers in the 1980sand 1990Sserve asfertile ground for further advancement, allowing

young architects freedom for experimentation and innovation. Today, they continue to



build upon these solid foundations.

Numerous municipalities have established design advisory committees to serve as an

interface between building professionals, the local authorities, and the overall popu

lation. As active members of these bodies, architects advise the local communities on

planning and building matters and play anintegral role in the shaping of the future built

environment. Due to an increase in population, the fabric of Vorarlberg's urban land

scape has changed dramatically since the 1960s. The 29 independent municipalities in

the Rhine river valley in particular have transformed into an almost continuous, low

density agglomeration of villages and towns. Overthe last few decades, the population

hascome to realize that the social, ecological, and economical concepts and principles

the architects havedeveloped for individual buildings need to be applied on an urban

scale. The local government has therefore launched the research project Vision Rhein

tal, which looks at settlement patterns, transportation, economy, landscape, and

social infrastructure in order to ensure sustainable growth in the future. The region's

unique and sensitive approach to building provides convincing evidence ofthe archi

tects' involvement in solving the problems and addressing the needs of the society in

which they live. Asa result, many ofVorarlberg's architects enjoy an international repu

tation today, andthey teach at universities and build in, among other countries, Germany,

Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and China.



144 Housing Development MOhlweg. Vienna

Urban planning strategies were elemental in generating the geometry and positioning

of the building volumes on the site, and the variation of dwelling unit typologies reacts

to these site-specif ic conditions. The architects' goal was to provide as many south

and west-facing apartments as possible and to offer a range of dif ferent f loor plan

layouts. The buildings' circulation typologies vary and form spatially compelling and

inviting spaces which offer numerous opportunities for interaction between residents.

The creation of unappealing and monotonous circulation spaces, which are often found

in affordable housing developments, can be avoided. The two L-shaped structures are

accessed through external stairs and walkways, where one of each of the buildings'

wings has a double-loaded corridor. The third building consists of an elongated rectan

gular volume which houses multistory units. Each apartment unit features a generous

pr ivate outdoor space in the form of a terrace or loggia. All of the buildings ' main

entrances open up to the surrounding streets aswell asthe interior courtyard , which fos

ters the site's permeability and allows residents easyaccessto the central open space.

Even though an additional rooftop level had been approved, the architects refrained

from its addition, and thus each of the buildings consists of merely four stories. Their



restrained volumes and simple vocabulary are in harmony with the urban concept.

construction

The housing development's basement and ground floor levels are made of site-cast

reinforced concrete while the three upper floors are entirely constructed out of timber.

The upper-level floor slabs and loadbearing interior walls consist of large-format pre

fabricated laminated timber panels. Vertical loads are transferred bythese wall elements

while the solid f loor slabs funct ion as continuous beams and span perpendicularly

across. Their exposed wooden undersides form the ceiling finish inside the individual

apartment units. These

timber

wall and floor panels possessexcellent material proper

ties. Their multilayered cross-laminated structure makes them particularly resistant to

deformation through temperature and humidity changestypically experienced with solid

t imber products. In addit ion, their large formats of up to 3 m

by

is m allow for a high

level of prefabrication, easy installation, and reduce the amount of necessary joints

which proves advantageous for fire protection purposes. Most of the exterior walls do

not have to carry any loads, which made it possible to use non-loadbearing, highly

insulated

timber

facade panels. Theseprefabricated lightweight elements are clad with

rear-ventilated vertical larch boards on the outside and are finished with gypsum board

on the inside.

wood

windows and cladding systems are pre-installed in the factory. The

external circulation walkways aresteel structures and sit in front of the timber structure,

while their non-flammable decks are made of precast concrete elements.

145



146 Housing Development Milhlweg. Vienna

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24 mm larch cladding boards

30 mm ventilated cavity

Building paper

Parapet element, consisting of: 15mm

gypsum fiberboard, 100 mm framing,


2

Roof, U = 0.16W/m'K

15mm gravel fill

Two-ply bituminous roofing membrane

Bituminous fireproofing membrane

160-250 mm rigid insulation, laid to

fall

vapor barrier

12Bmm laminated

timber

panel

Suspended ceiling 12.5 mm plaster

substrate board

Render

3

Laminated safety glass fixed to steel

section 60

x

120

x

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4

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10 mm finished floor

60 mm screed

Vapor barrier

30 mm mineral wool impact sound insulation


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15mm tiles

140-155mm precast concreteelement

10 mm elastomeric bearing

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Leveling layer

350 mm reinforced concrete slab, laid to fal l

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Floor, U = 0.22 W/m'K

10mm floor finish

60 mm screed

vapor barrier

30 mm mineral wool impact sound insulat ion

147



5

Bituminous roofing membrane

150-290 mm precast concrete element

10mm elastomeric bearing

6

Steel beam HEB

1BO

7

Exterior wall, U

=

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Render

12.5 mm plaste r substrate board


240 mm insulation between timber framing


Vapor barrier

50 mm rockwool insulat ion

12.5mm gypsum board



17

Exterior wall, U

=

0.24 W/m'K

12.5mm plaster substrate board

180mm mineral wool thermal insulation

200 mm reinforced concrete wall

8

Steel pipe 1016 x 8.8

9

Balustrade ,

flat

steel bar

50/8

10

40 mm man-made stone

tile

on pedestals

B

tum

inous waterproofing membrane

Leveling layer

146 mm laminated

timber

panel

suspended ceil ing

12.5 mm plaster substrate board

Render

11

10 mm finished floor

60 mm screed

vapor

barrier

30 mm mineral wool impactsound insulat ion

94mm bed of loose fill

146 mm laminated

timber

panel, underside

exposed

12

150 mm fire protection overhang, consisting

of sheet metal f lashing supported by steel

angle, underside larch board

148 Housing Development MUhlweg, Vienna

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All facadesincluding those of the reinforced-concrete ground floor use identical material

finishesin order to unify each building into a homogenousvolume. Theuntreated wooden

facades expressthe buildings' structural timber systems on the outside and are used in

combination with colored shutters. Flush mounting ofthe facade materials ensures an

evenweathering of all wooden surfaces. an aspect of utmost importance for the accep

tance of the building's aging overtime by its residents. Eventually, this effect will intensify

the contrasting play of colors with the juxtaposed shutters and recessed loggias.

According to Vienna'sbuilding regulations at the time, only facade claddings made of

hardwoods such as oak or acacia fulfi lled the strict f ire safety standards for four-story

residential construction. Since a hardwood facade was cost-prohibitive, the architects

developed an alternative solution in collaboration with Holzforschung Austria, the

country's leading research and testing institute for timber. Fire tests with prototype

designs were conducted in order to achieve the required fire ratings. The results of the

research project allowed the use of larch cladding in combination with 150 mm fire

protection overhangs in-between floors. These continuous horizontal wooden sills are

clad in sheet metal and posit ioned to serve as the supports and guides for the sliding

shutter system. Through this, a design solution was found

that

not only addressed fire



protection issues, but also satisfied aesthetic and financial concerns.

Energy Concept

A straightforward energy concept was employed in order to conform to Austria's low

energy standard. The entire development's heating energy demand of 38 kWh/m

2a

is

achieved through the use of high-qual ity wood windows and heavi ly insulated wall

build -ups. Heating energy is provided by a conventional condensing gas boiler while a

network of low-temperature pipes (60/40'C) dis tr ibutes the heat to the individual

apartment units. A 168 m

2

solar heating system supplies 50 percent of the annual hot

water demand. The south-facing solar panels are located on the elongated building's

f lat roof and are set at an angle of 45 percent. A central storage tank is heated by the

solar collectors and provides eachapartment with hot water through a heavily insulated

pipe system which minimizes heating energy losses.

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150

Hugo Kleinbrod Chapel. Lustenau

Hugo Dworzak

The

Church

Comes

to the People

Based at the Reichshofstadion, the soccer club

SC

Austria Lustenau is famous for its

celebrations after home games. Following matches, its players and supporters enjoy

themselves in the Austrian Village, a grouping of temporary concession booths.

Located right next to the soccer stadium stands, the

little

ensemble provides food and



drinks for about

4,000

visitors. The president of the soccer club observed that each

village has a church, or at least a chapel, and decided to add a spiri tual side to the

village's current commercial and secular character. However, the construction of only

temporary structures was allowed, and no additional building permits were supposed

to be issued. Asa result, the design of a small chapel was developed not only asa tem

porary solution, but asa mobile structure with the option of moving it to another location

at any given time.

Equipped with wheels, the idea was to bring the place of worship to the people rather

than the other way around. Thechapel's dimensions of 2.5 m by5 m correspond to the

size of a standard parking space, meaning

that

the bui ld ing can be relocated and

parked anytime and anywhere; and its overall height of 4.85 m allows for easytrans

port

under bridges and overpasses. Employing a simple rectangular floor plan and a

pitched roof, architect Hugo Dworzak decided to make the chapel's exterior shape

reminiscent of traditional places of worship. The equilateral triangle forming the gable

symbolizes the

trinity of

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. During everyday use, the chapel

offers seating for nine worshippers while a small door at the frontservesasthe entrance.

However,the mobile structure can be moved to the playing field for bigger events and

ceremonies, where it can open up to accommodate a larger audience. Through folding

up its wal ls on three sides, the chapel 's interior expands to the outside allowing

it

to

engage a larger crowd . The wall surfaces turn into cantilevering roofs which form the

shape of the Holy Cross if seen from above.

151



· d Chapel

Lustenau

52 HugoKlembro



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construction

The chapel's simple structural frame consists of 2 x 4 timber members. Inside, its wall,

f loor, and ceiling surfaces are entirely clad with horizontal wooden slats which help to

generate a warm atmosphere. Consisting of a white textile membrane, the exterior skin

is evocative

of

atent, emphasizing the building's mobile and nomadic character. Daylight

penetrates through the translucent fabric and wooden slats, making windows unneces

sary, while at night, f luorescent l ights embedded between the inner and outer shel l

i lluminate the interior and signal the chapel's sacred nature to its surroundings. The

holy Christian symbol appears twice in the little building: the door handle consists of a

crucifix, and the slatted

wall

behind the

altar

is

cut out

in the shape

of

a cross. The

chapel also contains a bell which was designed by artist udo Rabensteiner. Even though

the little structure is usually located at the stadium, it can sometimes be seentraveling

the streets of Lustenau on the way to a wedding or baptism.

The chapel was named after priest Hugo Kleinbrod who upon return from imprisonment

during the war took it upon himself to look after poor chi ldren and orphans. Besides

founding the Vorarlberg Children'sVillage, an organization which focuses on the family



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based, long- term care of chi ldren who can no longer grow up with

their

biological

famil ies, he also established a soccer club for the local boys of Lustenau, providing

them with a senseof belonging and identity.

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Tschabrun Logistics Center, RankweiL

Christian Lenz

All

AboutWood

Conveniently located in a business park in Rankweil, this project is immediately adjacent

to the Autobahn

A14,

vorarlberg's main artery, which runs through the entire Rhine river

valley. The building serves as the main distribution center for the region's largest sup

plier of wood products and consolidates four previously used smaller storage facilities.

The client wanted to create a contemporary timber structure that would demonstrate

the many advantages of wood as a building material, including reduced construction

time, cost-effective

but

sophisticated and energy-efficient design solutions, aswell as

the preservation of natural resources through the careful use of renewable building



products.

Particular emphasis was put on choosing locally sourced materials to create a contem

porary commercial facil ity. Most of the building materials used for the construction of

the new logistics center were taken right out of the company's own product catalogue,

sothe build ing servesasan effective billboard for the firm's corporate image and business

operations.

Construction

The large, dark-colored building volume with black, box-shaped skylights and circular

window openings has a strong presence. At 120 m by105 m, it constitutes one of Central

Europe's largest storage facilities made of structural timber. Except for the reinforced

concrete columns, the entire building including structure, walls, and ceilings, is made

of wood. Resting onthe columns are 4.60 m-deep laminated timber trusses which span

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156 Tschabrun Logistics Center. Rankweil

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Roof. U

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w/m'K

10 mm two-ply bituminous membrane

with granulated slate surface

160

mm rigid thermal insulation in two layers

5 mm foil-laminated bitum inous vapor barrier


2

100 x 280

mmt imber purlin

3

160 x 280 mmt imber edge purlin

4

160

x 660-750 mm laminated timber beam

5

Exterior wall. U = 0.31W/m'K

8 mm phenolic resin board

100 mmfurring strips with ventilated cavity

in-between

waterproofing membrane

180 x 100 mm horizontal timber members

with 160 mm rock wool insulation in-between

24

mmcomposite timber board

6

160 x 400 mm laminated timber column

7

Reinforced concrete slab on piers

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157

27 m and serve as primary structural members. Glued laminated beams (160 mm by

1,100-1,280 mm) spanning 18 m form the secondary system, while oriented strand

boards are supported by 100 mm by

280

mm solid-sawn

timber

purlins holding up an

8 m span. The entire building is braced through fixed precast-concrete column connec

tions, and K-bracing is used in the facade plane at regular intervals.

To accommodate heavy-duty cantilever shelving systems and block storage configura

tions, the building's floor slab is supported on

950

piers with an average depth of

12

m.

The decision to install a sprinkler system through the entire building made it possible to

avoid the separation of the space into individual fire compartments. These provisions

allow the new

13,200

m

2

building to provide plenty of space with the maximum amount

of flexibility expected of a distribution facility this size.

The exterior is clad in phenolic resin boards, and every effort was made to minimize any

potential cut-off waste early in the building's planning stages. Rational and efficient on

the inside, the building appears playful on the outside. Circular openings are set into

the facade and are evocative of floating soap bubbles. Tominimize construction costs,

these windows do not use anelaborate framing system, but are inserted intothe facade



using simple gaskets found in vehicle manufacturing.

Theconsolidation offour smaller storage facilities into one centrally located distribution

center serves asthe basis for the company's improved performance and efficiency. This

effort is supported by state-of-the-art logistics operations, which includethe use of the

latest logistics software for routing, loading, and unloading of the company's

truck

fleet. Additionally, the streamlining of individual processes such as the pre-loading of

goods on pallets significantly reduces vehicle idle time and contributes to the reduction

in operating costs. While deliveries are currently done exclusively by truck, a change to

a container-based operation could easily be accomplished by retrofitting the logistics

center with gantry cranes.

Combining the company's operations in one central Vorarlberg location also turns out

to be an environmentally-friendly solution, since it not only allows faster delivery of the

company's products to the local builders and craftsmen,

but also reduces transportation

distances and saves resources. The completion of the logistics center is an excellent

example of how smart design solutions can have a positive impact on business opera

t ions. The new building has allowed the company to improve its logist ics, and at the

same time, it retains the flexibility to compete and adapt in an ever-changing market.

Of

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158

Hospital Dornbirn

Gohm

&

Hiessberger

Floating

Featherweight

Hospitals are buildings

that

are constantly undergoing redevelopment. Theyare contin

uously faced with the latest technical and functional innovations, which then require

complex modifications and additions to the existing building fabric. Two decades after

its completion, the hospital ofVorarlberg's largest city, Dornbirn, required restructuring.

The intensive care units were increased in sizeand connected with the operating rooms,

new corresponding staff rooms had to be provided, and the hospital's main entrance and

emergency room were reconfigured and remodeled. Administrative and doctors' offices

were completely moved out

ofthe

existing building and relocated in a new addition.



The project's major challenge was the fact that the only space available for a potential

addition was above the existing underground parking garage, which had been

built

in

1983

but

could not provide the structural support for a multistory building on top

of

it .

Requiring utmost planning precision, the architects Markus Gohm and Ulf Hiessberger

solved the problem with a l ightweight steel structure resting at the places where the

parking garage's roof slab could be reinforced to support the additional load. The new

two-story, nearly 70 m long volume hoversin the air between the existing hospital building

and the canopies of the sycamore trees lining the street, and isonly supported by a few

slender steel columns and two concrete staircase cores. The architects' bold design

proposal not only maximizes the space generated for the hospital, but also constitutes

an intervention on an urban scale, increasing density within the city fabric, while stil l

leaving room

for

green space.

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The elevation of the addit ion was conceived not only for structural reasons, but also to

improve the functionality of the hospital's operations. A bridge links the new offices

with the intensive care units on the second level of the old bui lding, creat ing a direct

connection and thus minimizing walking distances. Furthermore,

it

ensures

that

the

visual connections to the main entrance from the street and the surrounding neighbor

hood can be maintained, and

that

wayfinding in the hospital grounds is left intact. The

construction of the new building was followed by renovation of the existing wards and

treatment areas in the original building. The refurbishment of the intensive care units

needed to address the different and occasionally evenconflicting needs of patients and

medical staff: the requirement for tranquillity wasjuxtaposed with sometimes extremely

stressful activities. Lighting, color, and materiality combine to create a positive setting

for patients. The functional design

of

the spaces reduces the time needed for routine

tasks. The intensive care units, operating rooms, and staff rooms were completed in the

summer of 2005, to be fol lowed by the outpat ient facil it ies on the f irst floor, and the

remodeling of main entrance and cafe on the ground floor.

construction

The

7.5

m

-tall

steel columns (407 mm by 10 mm) support 720 mm-deep welded steel



beams. Theentire two-story building volume above consists of a lightweight structural

steel frame which cantilevers up to 10 m and two reinforced-concrete staircase cores

provide lateral bracing for the entire structure. Subtle finishes on the exterior provide

an understated elegance which reduces the building's massvisually, making it appear

almost weightless: the underside is clad in shimmering aluminum sandwich panels, and

silver-painted prefabricated

timber

elements with dark-colored wood windows were

chosen for the vertical facades due to their lightweight nature. A delicate fixed glazing

system wraps around the entire building, forming a double envelope enclosure. In the

summer, the new addition almost disappears in the dense foliage of the sycamoretrees.

The sophisticated technical and structural solutions ofthe design are suppressed, and

giveway to a more expressiveinterior, in which the office spacesare clearly arranged on

two levels around a glass-covered atr ium. Each individual office looks out onto the

atrium space through a full-height and soundproof fixed glass partition, while privacy

can be achieved through lowering an opaque texti le rol ler shade when desired. The

combination of vast amounts of glazing on the interior and exterior creates a building

with ultimate transparency, allowing far-reaching visual relationships on the inside, as

well as panoramic views of the city.

The interior's warm finishes and colorful materials, large amounts of daylighting, and

excellent acoustics generate an atmosphere which extends beyond the commonly

expected sterile hospital setting. The flexible partitioning system separating the indi

vidual offices is made from rich chestnut wood. Brick-red resin f looring, yel low and

green roller shades, aswell asthe white balustrades on the upper level all contribute to

the creation of a friendly and inviting healthcare environment.


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Roof, U = 0.12W/m' K

Modular metal roofing system, consisting of:

- r ibbed roofi ngpanel

- purlinsfor 3% slope

-

waterproof

ing membrane

- insulated coffered sheet metalceiling panel

- insulated sheet metal prof i le

Cavity

Fre-rated ceiling consisting of 2 x 12.5 mm

gypsum board with sandwiched vapor barrier

Servicescavity

12.5mm suspended acoustical ceiling

with laminated acoustical mat

2

G

utt

er

3

Aluminum ventilation louvers

4

Steel column FR

120/200/

10

5

Triple glazing, U : 0.7W/m'K

6

3 mmepoxy resin floor

8

2 x 5 mm laminated safety glass

853 mm ventilated facade cavity

203 mm prefabricated

timber

element ,

consisting of:

- 12mm composite t imber board

- 30 mmminera l wool

ther

mal insula

tion

- 12mm oriented strand board

- 120mm

therma

l insulation

- 19mm laminated veneer lumber board

- 10mm cement-bonded fiberboard

Vapor retarder

150mm services cavity

20 mm i n

teri

or finish

9

Steel beam HEA220

10

Motorized external shade

11

Floor,

U -

0.13W/m'K

3 mm epoxy resin floor

72

mm screed

Vapor retarder

25mm

impact

sound insulati on

70 mm bed of l ightweight

fi l l

50 mm corrugated

metal

decking



13

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10

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72mm screed

Vapor retarder

2Smm

impact

sound insulation

70 mm bed of lightweight fill

50 mm corrugated metal decking

Fire-rated ceiling consisting of 50 mm

insula

tion

on top of 2 x 15mm gypsum board

350 mm services cavity

12.5 mm suspended acoustical ceili ngwith

laminated acoustical mat

7

Steel beam HEA 300

Cavity

with

50mm

thermal

insulat ion


150 mm mineral wool

thermal

insulation

Suspended composite cladding panel,

consisting of two aluminum sheets

heat-bonded to a polyethylene core

12

Welded steel beam, w=400 rnm, h-720 mm

taperingto h=550 mm

13

Steel

grat

ing

14

Steel beams, ranging from IPE360 to IPE600

163

Energy Concept

Since the addition consists of a lightweight steel structure with timber infill panels, the

challenge was to create a comfortable indoor climate for a building with relatively

little

mass. Therefore, the building services were closely coordinated with the actual thermal

comfort requirements and were optimized through simulation, making it possible to

develop an energy concept which provides a high level of comfort with a relatively low

energy consumption of 45.7 kWh/m

2 a .

The building's main components include high

quality

triple

glazing with a u-value of 0.7 W/m

2K ,

advanced solar shading devices for

offices and the atr ium roof, a vent ilation system with heat recovery, as wel l as an

underfloor heating system, which can be usedfor cooling during the summer.Thedouble

facade also serves asa climatic buffer space and protects the actual thermal envelope

aswell asthe retractable solar shading system from wind and rain.

The hospital's expansion and refurbishment is yet another example of how perceptions

and paradigms have changed in healthcare design over the past decade. Rather than

continuing in the t radi tion of the 1970S and 1980s, when large architecture firms

designed massive and anonymous medical complexes, there has been a return to an

architecture

that

is more focused on an attention to detai l at a smaller scale. Thenew



trend is to create comfortable, functional, and user-friendly environments with plenty

of daylight, high-qual ity materials and finishes, despite the need for increasingly

complicated building services and technical medical equipment.

0

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164

Nordwesthaus,

FuBach

Baumschlager Eberle

Light

and Shadow

Located on Lake Constance, the club house concludes a three-phase transformation

process that has seen the gradual conversion of an old gravel pi t i nto a marina . By

avoiding any picturesque references, the clear and simple geometries of all architectural

interventions contrast with the surrounding natural setting. In

2000,

architects Carlo

Baumschlager and Dietmar Eberle finished the first phase with the completion

of

the

elevated

port

office. The concrete tube cantilevers over

10

m and offers lakeside views

for the marina owner. Thesecond stage followed in

2004

and involved the actual harbor

wall itselfwhich was constructed out of local stone, providing a sustainable habitat for

waterborne plants and wildli fe. As juxtaposition to the port off ice, the club house



represents the final stage of the waterside development. The new monolithic

14

m high

structure appears to float, rising directly

out

of the water.

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166 Nordwesthaus. FuBach

Nextto the boat dock and moorings, the building housesa space for boat storage and

maintenance at water level. A mezzanine f loor contains bathrooms and stairs and

provides access from the landside to the club room above. This dramatic 8.80 m

tall

multipurpose space serves as meeting venue for the sailing community. The building's

irregular biomorphic concrete structure is clad with rectangular glass panels, whose

surfaces have been mechanically modified to reduce the stark contrast between core

and envelope. The translucent glass skin filters and reflects natural and artificial light,

creating a changing play of l ight and shadow on the inside and outside. Views out are

intentionally limited to two glazed openings which are set into deep concrete reveals.

During the day,the gathering space is transformed into a kaleidoscope

of

its surround

ings, while reflections from the water surface seem to generate constant movement on

the glass facades. At night, the integrated cei ling l ights in combination with feature

lighting on the concrete structure itself provide an x-ray projection

of

the building's

internal organization which is visible from afar.

construction

Theentire structural system consists of site-cast reinforced concrete and was developed

in close collaboration with the structural engineers.Thedesign is based on a 7 m by

14

m

box with a height of

14

m and issupported on foundation piles which rest on the floor of



the harbor basin. To achieve lightness and transparency, the exterior walls of the box

were dissolved through the introduction of vertical openings, thus pushing the limits of

the structural system. The remaining column-like structure in the lower third section is

connected and braced by the club room's concrete f loor slab. In the upper third, the

column segments reunite to form a more solid wal l surface. The result is a concrete

structure with very del icate appearance. An eff ic ient formwork concept had to be

developed to keep construction costs within the available budget. Forthe purpose of

placing the concrete, the building was subdivided into five sections in elevation and two

sections in plan. This division into ten independent pouring stages allowed the repetitive

use of individual formwork elements. All exterior and interiorwall surfaces were formed

using a standard panelized steel formwork system. A modular system consisting of

600 mm long reusable wooden formwork segments was developed to accommodate

the curved reveal surfaces. The total number of elements was limited: three radii were

provided in both a convexand concave form, resulting in six different elements. Various

combinations

of

these three radii made it possible to form each curve, allowing the

creation of non-repetitive shapes with the use of repetitive formwork.

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2

Dach

50 mm Gravel fill 16/32


180mm Polystyrene rigid thermal insulation

vapor barrier

Mat

300 mm Reinforced concrete

3

Roof substructure

Flat steel bar 80/ 10 black

4

Double glazing, laminated to aluminum

profile anodized black

5

Wall bracket and fixing

Flat steel bar black

6

Exterior wall

Double glazing. consisting of:

8 mm Toughened safety glass ICE-H

18mm Air space

6 mm Toughened safetyglass

250 mm Facadecavity

300 mm Reinforced concrete

7

Plinth cladding

single glazing

8

300 mm Renforced concrete slab

168 Nordwesthaus. FuBach

: . . . . .

. . . . . . . 1

t



1:

400

1

•

• •

I

~ i l i

•

•

1-

__ ••

J

I floor 1

:400

169

For the product ion of the glass panes, a centuries-old manufacturing process was

revived. Thisunique technique involvesthe careful chipping of the glass surface, resulting

in a finish with varying degrees of opacity, translucency, and transparency.The appear

ance and variations of these patterns seem to have been taken straight from nature,

since they can best be compared to ice crystals which form on a window pane during a

cold winter day. The process produces translucent finishes without the need to apply

colors or add layers of any other materia ls, and can be used with all types of glass.

Along the perimeter of the bui lding, steel plates attached to the concrete structure

support horizontal aluminum mullions. The individual 3 m by .6 0 m double glassed

units are glued into these mullions withoutthe use of any additional mechanical fixings,

allowing the creation of a smooth and abstract external skin. Sixof the large glass panels

areoperable elements whichcan be opened for ventilation. Seamlessly integrated into the

envelope, they employ a crank mechanism with ropes commonly found in boatbuilding.

Baumschlager Eberle developed the interior lighting concept in close collaboration

with several lighting manufacturers. Bychoosingto illuminate the curved revealsurfaces,

a softening of the hard concrete edges was achieved. A multicolored

LED

fixture was

specifically developed for this purpose, it constrains the light direction to the

li t

reveals

while at the same time minimizing glare. Recessed into the site-cast concrete, color

and intensity of the

1,6

light fixtures can be programmed through a digitally controlled



management system. Continuously changing daylight conditions and atmospheric

l ight ing effects at night s trongly inf luence the user experience. The c lub house's

architecture exploits the tension that exists between nature and the manmade, opacity

and transparency, light and shadow, and day and night.



commun ity Center Ludesch

Client: Gemeinde Ludesch Immobilienverwaltung s

GmbH

&

Co KEG

Architect: Hermann Kaufmann ZTGmbH, Schwarzach

Project Team: RolandWehinger, Martin Uingle. Norbert Kaufmann

Construction Management: Albrecht Bau-

&

Projektmanagement. Dornbirn

St

ructural

Engineering: Mader + Fatz, Dornbirn

Merz Kaufmann Partner, Dornbirn

Zementol, Dornbirn

Mechanical Engineering: Synergy Consulting

+

Engineering GmbH, Dornbirn

Eectrical Engineering: Wilhelm Brugger. ThUringen

Building Physics: Bernhard Weithas, Hochst

Ecology: Osterreichisches Insti

tut

filr Baubiologie und

sauokotog e. Vienna

Timber Constructio n: ARGEWucher - Sutter Holzbau, Ludesch

Date of Completio n: 2005

Housing Development Fichtenweg

Client : Fritz Holzbau, aarthotomaberg-a antschler

Architect: Hans Hohenfellner, Feldkirch

Project Team: Hansjorg Thurn

Construction Management: Fritz Holzbau, sarthotomaberg

Gantschier

Structural Engineering: Erik Brugger, Bludenz

Mechanical Engineering: somag Installationen GmbH, Schruns

Eectr ical Engineering: Durig Elektrotechnik GmbH, Schruns

Timber Construction: Fritz Holzbau, aarthotomaberg-a antschler

Date of Complet ion: 2005

171

Housing Development MUhlweg

Client : BWSGemeinnUtzige Allgem eine aau-,

Wohn- und Siedlungsgen. Reg. Gen.m.b.H

Architect:

ARGE

Hermann Kaufmann ZTGmbH, Schwarzach

Johannes Kaufmann Architektur, Dornbirn

Project Team: Christoph DUnser, Johannes Kaufmann,

M

artin

RUmmele

Str

uctural Engineering: Merz Kaufmann Partner, Dornbirn

Mechanical Engineering: Pesek P anungsbUro, Felixdorf

Eectrical Engineering: s.d. & engineering, Vienna

Building Physics/Acoustics: Holzforschung Austria, Vienna

Landscape Planning: PlanSinn GmbH, Vienna

Date of Compl etion: 2006

Hugo Kleinbrod Chapel

Client: SC Austria Lustenau

Architect : Hugo Dworzak, Lustenau

Construction: Holzbau Stephan Muxel, Au

Date of Completion: 2007

Logist ics Center Tschabrun

Client: Hermann Tschabrun GmbH

Architect: Christian Lenz ZT GmbH, Schwarzach

Proect Team: Philipp Berktold, Carsten Redlich

Construction Management: ILFBeratende IngenieureZT

GmbH, Dornbirn




Client: Gemeinde Raggal lmmobilienverwaltungs

GmbH

&

Co KEG

Arch

itect

: Johannes Kaufmann Architektur, Dornbirn

Pro

ject

Team: Rainer Geb

hardt

, Alexandra Echenlaub,

Dark Schick, Paul Steurer

Construction Management: wolfgang Summer. Klaus

Structural Engineering: Merz Kaufmann Partner,

Dornbirn (ti mber)

Thomas Burtscher, Raggal (concrete)

Mechanical Engineeri ng: e-plus, Egg

E ectrical Engineering: IngenieurbUro Brugger, ThUringen

Timber Construction: Sutter Holzbau, Ludesch


Housing Development Sandgrubenweg

Client: Rhomberg BauGmbH

Architect: Architektengemeinschaft Gerhard H

orbur

ger,

Helmut Kuess, w olfgang Rtsch, Norbert Schweitzer

Project Team: Baki Kaya

Structural Engineering: Mader

+

F atz, Bregenz

Geotechnics: Andres Geotechnik, St. Gallen

Mechanical Engineering: Pe er Messner GmbH, Dornbirn

Ee c

tr

ical Engineering: Kurt DUngier, GaiBau

Building Physics: Lothar KUnz GmbH, Hard

Date of Completion: 2006 (first phase: building C + D)

Secondary School Klaus-Weiler-Fraxern

Client: Gemeinde Klaus ImmobilienverwaltungsGmbH

&

Co. KEG

Architect: Dietrich Untertr ifalle r Architekten Ziviltechniker

GmbH, Bregenz

project Management: Peter NuBbaumer

Project Team:Tobias Dieng, EvaDorn, Philipp Nagel, Jana Sack

Construct ion Management: Gmeiner BauGmbH, Schwarzach

Structural Engineering: Merz Kaufmann Partner,

Dornbirn (timber)

Mader + Flatz, Bregenz (concrete)

Mechanical Engineering: Synergy, Dornbirn

Electrical Engineering: Hecht, Rankweil

Landscape Planning: Rotzler Krebs Partn er GmbH, Winterthur

Building Physics: Bernhard Weithas. Hard

Acoustics: Karl BrUstle , Dornbirn


Struct ural Engineering: MerzKaufmann Partner GmbH, Dornbirn

Mechanical Engineering: ILFBeratende Ingenieure ZTGmbH,

Dornbirn

Electrical Engineering: ILFBeratende Ingenieure ZTGmbH,

Dornbirn

Building Physics and Acoustics: Lothar KUnz, Hard

Logistics: Reinhardt & ArensGbr, Berlin

Dateof Completion: 2005

Hosp

ital

Dornb irn

Client: Stadt Dornbirn

Architect: Gohm & Hiessberger Architekten, Feldkirch

Project Team:AndreasXander, Susannestockerl, Otto Brugger

Construction Management: RUsch, Diem, Schuler, Dornbirn

Struct ural Engineering: RUsch, Diem, Schuler, Dornbirn

Mechanical Engineering: GMI Ingenieure, Dornbirn

Electrical Engineering: Peter Hammerle, Lustenau

Building Physics: Bernhard Weithas , Hochst

Clinical Engineering: MTPGmbH, Hall in Tirol

Date of Completion: 2004 (Addi

tion)

, 2006 (ICU)

Nordwesthaus

Client: Hafen Rohner GmbH & Co KG

Archit ect: Baumschlager Eberle, Lochau

Project Management: Christoph von Oefele

Structural Engineering: Mader

+

Flatz, Bregenz

Mechanical Engineering: GMI Ing. Peter Messner GmbH.

Dornb irn

Electrical Engineering: GMt Ing. Peter Messner GmbH,

Dornbirn

Glass Manufacturer: Glas Marte GmbH, Bregenz (ICE-H)

Date of Completion: 200B

Page

172 Proect Summary

project

Net Usable Area Energy Concept Heating Energy Demand Structural

system

18 E ementary School Doren l,400m'

Low-energy standard (1); good surface-area-

19kWh/m'a

Fair-faced reinforced concrete walls

Cukrowicz Nachbaur to-volume ratio; high thermal mass; south faci ng and floo r slabs

orientation; mechanical ventilation system;

biomass-powered heating system (wood pellets)

26 Ski Lodge Schneggarei

560 m'

Heating and ventilation system with heat recovery, Prefabricated timber panels on

Katia Schneider + Gerold

connected to municipal biomass-powered dist r ict reinforce d concre te basement

Schneider, All meinde heat ing system

Architektur, Philip Lutz

32 Parish Church S . Ulrich 1,497 m' Underfloor heating connected to munici pal

Exis ing building: masonry

Christia n Lenz biomass-powered district heat ing system; electric (remodel of existing

Addition : fair-faced reinforced concrete

infrared heaters for pew areas build ing)

36

RO

scher Residence

251 m'

Low-energystandard (11; high thermal mass; south

20kWh/m'a

Prefabricated solid timber panels

Oskar Leo Kaufmann, facing orientatio n; biomass-powered heating system

on fair-faced reinforced concrete

Albert ROf

(wood chips) ground floor

42 Community Center Obersaxen 2,360 m'

Good surface-area-to-volume ratio; highthermal

approx. 30 kWh

/m 'a

Stecast reinforced concrete walls;

Matthias Hein

Existing buil ding: mass; southwest-facing orientation; conventio nal precast high-strengt h concrete columns;

1,401 m'

heat ing and ventilation system precast concrete holl ow core slab roof

Addition: 959 m'

48

Olperer House

592 m'

High thermal mass; southwest-facing orientat ion ; Prefabricated laminated solid t imber

Hermann Kaufmann PVpanels; combined heat and power plant for (building is only operated

panels on partial reinforced concrete

electricity g ene ra tion , h ea ting , a nd w at er pur i- d ur in g summ ert ime)

basement



fication; supplementary heating through tiled stove

64 Community Center S t. Gerold

571

m'

Passive house standard (J; good surface-area-to-

10.7 kWh/m'a

Timber frame construction

Cukrowicz Nachbaur

volume rat io; south -facing orientation; heating and (fi rst four-story t imber build ing

ventilation systemwith heat recovery andgeothermal

in Vorarlberg)

heat pump; provisions for PVpanel integration

70 Metzler Residence 176m'

High thermal mass; sou thwest -fac ing or ien ta tion; ( 50kWh/m'a

Fair-faced reinforced concrete with

Marte Marte centralized building management system; steel colu mns

underfloor heatingand cooling systemwit h geo-

thermal heat pump; provisions for solar hot

water collectors; supplementary heating through

open fire place; unheated natural swimming

pond with biological filter zone

76

SYST

EM3 51m'

Good s urface -area-to-vo lume ratio ; high t her mal ( 10 k Wh/ m'a Prefabricat ed l aminat ed soli d

Oskar Leo Kaufmann,

mass; opt ional t hicker wall build -ups to achieve (ta rget val ue since t imber p anels

Albert ROf

low-energy house (

1

or passive housestandards ('I; prototype)

optional skinsystem for improved thermal

insulation and energy generation through inte-

grated PV cells

82

Rauch Residence

200 m'

Low embo die d e nergy ; radiant w al l heat ing coil s; 72.0 5 k

Wh/m'a

Rammed earth constructio n

Planungsgemeinschaft

tile d stove; biomass-powered central heating

(insulating properti es

Lehmhaus: RogerBoltshauser,

system (wood pellets); solar hot water collectors

of rammed earth not

Marti n Rauch

accounted for in calculation)

88

Gasthof Krone

500 m'

Existing buildi ng: traditional log

Bernardo Bader (remode l of exist ing building)

construction (Blockbau)

100

Community CenterLudesch 3

,135

m'

Passive house standard

(I ;

heating andventilation

138 kWh/m'a

Prefabricated timber panels on

Hermann Kaufmann

system with ground water heat pump; solar

reinforced concrete basement

hot water collectors 30m '; PV panels 350 m'

(16,000 kWh/a); supplementary heating through

municipal biomass-powered district heating system

108 Housing Development 619 m'

Oko1standard

(31

good sur face-a rea- to- volu me Row ho use: 65.1 kWh/m 'a


Fichtenweg

6 units with

rat io; southwest facing orie nta tio n; 2 6 k W End house: 7 0.5 k W h/m' a


Hans Hohenfellner 103.3 m each b iomass-poweredcent ral hea tingsystem (wood

pellets);solar hot water collectors 50m'

11

2


731 m'

Low-energy standard

( 1 ;

good surface-area-to-

23kWh/m'a


Johannes Kaufmann

volume ratio: mechanical ventilat ion system with


heat recovery; biomass-powered heating

system (wood chips)

Page

project

Net UsableArea Energy Concept

Heating EnergyDemand

Structu ral System

173

118

Housing Development 5.812 m'

8uilding A: passive house {), ako 3 standard (

1

;

8uilding A: 10.55kWh/m'a

Reinforced concrete columns and

Sandgrub enweg buildi ngs B. C, and 0: low-energy house (II, o ko 2 Buil ding B: 34.55 kWh/ m'a

floor slabs; non-Ioadbearing

Gerhard Horburg er, Helmut standard (31; und erflo or heatin g connecte d t o Build in g C: 3 0.30 kWh/m ' a

prefabricatedt imber panel walls

kuess, w ol fgang Rt sch, biomass-powered centr al heat ing system (wood Build ing 0 : 32.50 kWh

/m'a

Norbert Schweitzer pell ets) ; opt ional mechanical ventil ation system

with heat recovery (standard in buildingA)

124 Secondary School 4.520 m' Passivehouse standard

(I ;

heating and ven

tilat

ion 11.4 kWh/ m>a Prefabricated timber panels on rein-

Klaus-Weiler- Fraxern system with heat recovery and ground source

forced concrete basement; entrance

Dietrich U

ntertr

ifalle r heat exchanger; PV panels 240 m'; p rovisions f or

andassembly hall: laminatedt imber

solar hot wat er collectors; rain water colle ction beams and colum ns

for sprinkler system; supplementary heating

through condensing gasboiler, to be replacedwith

biomass-powered heating system (wood chips);

142

Housing Development 7,617m' Low-energy st andard P; central heating system

38 kWh/m'a

Prefabricated laminatedsolid timber

MGhlweg

with low-t emperature dist ributio n pipes and panels on reinforced concrete

Hermann Kaufmann + convent ional condensing gas boiler; solar hot water basement and ground floor;

Johannes Kaufmann collectors 168m'

non-loadbearing prefabricated

timb

er facade panels

150

HugoKleinbrod Chapel

11 m'

lightweight timber frame construct ion

Hugo Dworzak (building is not heated or cooled)

154 Logistics Center Tschabrun 13,200 m'

Laminated timber trusses and

Christian Lenz

(buil ding is not heated or cooled) laminated t imber beams on precast



concrete columns

158 Hospital Dornb irn Addit ion: 3,438 m' Double facade as cli mat ic buffer s pace; solar Addit ion: 45.7 kWh/ m'a

Lightweight steel frameconstruction

Gohm & Hiessberger ICU: 6 00 m' shadi ng system in facade cavity ; mechanical

ventilation system with heat recovery; underfloor

heating and cooli ng system

164 Nordwest haus

180 m'

Hight hermal mass; energy-efficient LEDlighting;

Fa

ir-f

aced reinforced concrete

Baumschlager Eberle no heat ing system (build ing is mainly operated

during summertime)

Definitions

1 Low-Energy House

A low-energy house is generally considered to bea house

that

usessignificantly less energy than required by current

local building codes. It typically usesa high degree of

insulation. energy-efficient windows, low levels of air

infiltratio n. and heat recovery ventilation to lower heating

and cooling energy requirements. Insomecountries, the

term relates to a specific buildingstandard which seeks

to limit the energy usedfor space heat ing, which in many

climate zonesrepresents the largest energyuse. In order

to comply with the low-energy standard in most European

regions.t helimit for a building'sheatingenergy demand

is50 kWh/m'aor less,whichis equivalent to 15,B50 B u/ft /yr.

2 Passive House

A passivehouse is the progression of a low-energyhouse.

It i sa n

ultr

a-low energy building in which a comfortable

interior climate can be maintainedwithout the use of any

significant acti ve heating and cooling systems. Passive

housestake advantage of solar and internal heat gains. and

through this employ passive means.To qualify for the

passive-house standard. European regulations stipulate an

annual heating energy demand of less than15kWh/m'a

(4,755Btu

/ft

'/ yr). Furthermore,t hecombined primary energy

consumption for heating. hot water. and electr icity may

not exceed120 kWh/m'a (38.039 Btu/ft'/ yr).

3 ako 1 2 and 3

ako 1. 2. and 3 are funding levels for new residential

constr uction and the remodeling of existing residential

buildings aspart of anecological subsidiesprogramwhich

is managed by the Energieinstitut Vorarlberg . Building

projects areassessed through a set of ecological guidelines

which evaluate a building's site design, energy consumption,

material choice. mechanical systems. and interior spatial

qualities. A point system is usedt o determine the actual

amount of funding for each individual project . Themost im

portant criteria of theevaluation system are a building's

surface-area-to-volume ratio and its annual heating energy

demand. The more compact a building and the lower its

heating energy demand, the higher the level of financial

assistance. The subsidies program wasrecently restructured

and now comprises funding levels ako1 through 5.

174

Biography

Ulrich Dangel is an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Austin where he

teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in design, construction, architectural

detailing, and structural design. Hereceived a Diploma in Architecture from universitat

Stuttgart in Germany and a Master

of

Architecture from the University

of

Oregon. As

both a German and Austrian citizen , his professional career led him to London where he

worked for internationally renowned architecture firms Foster + Partners and Grimshaw

Architects. He is a registered architect in Germany and the United Kingdom and also

operates an emerging design practice in collaboration with his wife TamieGlassin Austin,

Texas.

Acknowledgements

Numerous people helped with the preparation of this book, and while I cannot mention

everyone involved, I would like to acknowledge the fol lowing individuals. First and

foremost, I would like to express my sincere grati tude to the dedicated architects in

Vorarlberg. Without them and their work,this book would not havebeen possible. Many

ofthem took the time to meet with me personally, patiently answered all my questions,

fulfilled my numerous requests, and made their drawings and photographs available for



publication. I walked away from this experience thoroughly impressed by their likable,

down-to-earth personalities and their unconditional willingness to collaborate. I also

want to express my appreciation to those at Birkhauser Publishers in Baselwho helped

makethis book a reality. In particular, I would like to thank editors Ulrike Ruh,Alexander

Felix and Daniel Morgenthaler

for

their init ial review, continued advice, and general

enthusiasm about the topic.

I am thankful for the financial support I received from the University of

Texas

at Austin.

Myinitial researchwas generously supported bythe Office of the ExecutiveVice President

and Provost with new faculty start-up funds, and a summer research assignment by the

Office ofthe Deanof Graduate Studies allowed meto visit Vorarlberg. I am also grateful

for a research grant awarded to me bythe Office of the Vice President for Research.My

research assistants were instrumental in compiling all the material for this book. Erin

Stark carefully prepared the drawings, and Ben Arbib prepared a first layout-concept.

Their dedicated effort and hard work is greatly appreciated.

Inaddition, this book would havenot been possible without the help of Frederick Steiner,

Dean

of

the School of Architecture at the University ofTexas at Austin, who provided me

with research and financial assistance. I am especially grateful for his continued sup

port

. A very special and sincere thank you goesto my colleagues and mentors Professor

Christopher Long and Associate Professor Vincent Snyder for their advice and encour

agement over the last several years. I am particularly indebted to my partner and wife

Tamie Glass. This publication would havenot been completed without her contribution,

support, and patience, for which I am forever grateful. Finally,this book is dedicated to

my parents Edith and Gunter Dangel, who never wavered in their belief in my chosen

career path.

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Illustration Credits

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fig. 13+14

Collection FranzBeer, Stadtarchiv Dornbirn: p.96 / fig.5

Collection Christa Branz, Vorarlberger Landesbibliothek:

p.9B / fig .8

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.6-7;

p.77-81; p.89-91; p.ll3-114,

117

Friedrich aohrlnger, Dornbirn : p

.s

top ; p .1

3 /

fig.2;

p. 94 / fig.1; p.95 / f ig.2; p.135/ fig.2

BeatBOhler Zurich : p.83-87

Architektengemeinschaft cooperative: p.

134/

fig.1;

p. 138 / fig.10

Ulrich Dangel, Austin: p.9 down

left

+ down right;

p

.12/fig

.1; p

.15/fig

.5 ; p.58/fig.1; p.92 ; p.96/fig.3 ;

p.98/ f ig.9; p.135/ fig.3+4; p.

139/

fig.12

Dietrich UntertrifallerArchitekten, Bregenz: p.131

Collection Will ibald Feinig, Altach: p.

136/

fig.6+7

Robert Fessler, Lauterach: p.10top ; p.27-29 ,

31

;

p

.43-45,47

Harald Geiger, Schoppernau: p.151-153

Eduard Hueber + Ines Leong / archphoto.com. New York:

p.165-166,168-169

Dr. Richard Huter, Bregenz: p.61 / fig.5

Architekten Hermann Kaufmann, Schwarzach: p.49-52, 54-55

Hermann Keckeis: p.

136/

fig.8

Bruno Klomfar, Wien: p.

15 /

fig.4 ; p.33-35; p.101-103,

105-106; p.109-111;p .119-121 , 123; p.125,

127,

129-130;

p.140 / fig.15; p.143, 145,147-148; p.

155-157

; p.159-163

Ignazio Martinez, Navia Asturias: p

.15/

fig.3 (proHolz) ;

p.

16 /

fig.

6-8

176



Meyr-Melnhof Kaufmann, Reuthe: p.56 ; p.59 / fig.2;

p. 63 / fig.

8-9

Collection Rupp / rschol, Gemeindearchiv Horbranz:

p.61/ f ig.4

Rudolf Sagmeister, Lochau: p.

136/

f ig.5; p.1

37 /

fig.9

Hans-Peter Schess, Trogen:p. 19,21; 22-23; 25; p.65, 67, 69

Albrecht Imanuel Schnabel, Gotzis: p.71-72,74-75

Nikolaus Walter, Feldkirch: p.

138/

fig.

11

From other books:

Johann Wilhelm : Architectura civilis, Frankfurt, 1668

(Original in der vorarlberger Landesbibliothek): p.

60 /

fig.3

Johann Deininger: DasBauernhaus in Tirol und Vorarlberg,

Vienna,1894:p .96/ f ig.4 ; p.97/ fig.6+7

TobiasG. Natter,Ute pfanner (Ed.) : Architectura practica

Barockbaumeister und moderne Bauschuleaus vorarlberg,

Bregenz, 2006 : p.132

Sustainable Architecture in Vorarlberg - Energy Concepts and Construction Systems

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