Tuesday 30 November 2010

Architectural Practice of November - Franz Architekten

Franz Architekten, an Austrian Architectural Practice based in Vienna have recently received recognition for  their design of a 'family house in Zellerndorf' located in lower austria. Taking the region's typology of dividing the architecture into its individual programs (residence, barn, stables), the single-family dwelling utilizes three separate volumes of 6.6m x 16.6m and provides a straight course of circulation with a long, glazed passageway.


Starting from the street side, the first box serves as parking and storage. the second volume provides for communal spaces, such as living and kitchen. the box on the northern part of the site, therefore also the most private, accommodates for the masterbedroom, children's bedroom and bathrooms. the continuity of the penetrating corridor can be read from the exterior: it's structure extends out to create a canopy over the entryway on the street side, while peeking out to a glass nook on the north side.


The pockets of space created in the slippage are fully utilized: an expansive wooden terrace and a swimming pool lie between the sleeping and living quarters on the west side, while a garden grows in another courtyard off the parking garage.


Franz Architekten's online slide-show displays an insight into their current projects, in addition the webpage illustrates a wealth of presentation techniques that are not only pleasing to the eye but translate their design aspirations and key concepts for each of their schemes successfully via a clear, diagrammatic approach (similarly to BIG).