The sobering marriage of beautiful aesthetics and raw functionality parallels the productive relationship between the client and local architect daniel fügenschuh. the brief prompted for the renovation of a third storey loft with a footprint of 15 meters by 10 meters in the middle of innsbruck, austria. unhappy with the configuration of their former dwelling, the client approached the architect with a set of ideas mostly regarding the addition of extra program and the necessity for generous airy spaces. the existing structural components were left unmodified if not retouched: the white perimeter walls are re-plastered in adobe to increase thermal properties and contrast with the reflective black floors. the prominent agent of change is the insertion of foreign volumes seemingly floating in a newly opened space rendered in natural wood.
The main living area is a double-height space that opens the senses. a series of timber boxes intervene in the volumetric expanse but never quite find the connection with the original components, retaining a sense of lightness and of the continuation of space beyond the visible extents. a minimalist staircase connects the ground floor to the newly added mezzanines without imposing heavily into the living room, and eventually lead to the newly inhabited attic which is transformed into a buffer space before reaching the large rooftop terrace. from the exterior the annexes are apparent, contemporary timber boxes tastefully protruding from the original facade, completed with a sloping rooftop garden.