Page 99 - AIT0324_E-Paper

Entwurf • Design Rem Koolhaas, NL-Rotterdam
„I value reduction of the repertoire,
but also the intensification of experience.“
Rem Koolhaas
Der auskragende Balkon verlängert die Wohnfläche maximal. •The cantilevered balcony maximizes the living space.
Bauherr • Client Privat
Standort • Location AT-Zell am See
Nutzfläche • Floor space 280 m 2
Fotos • Photos Pernille Loof, Thomas Loof, US-New York
Mehr Infos auf Seite • More info on page 134
HOUSE BY THE LAKE
IN ZELL AM SEE
Rem Koolhaas’ oeuvre includes only a few private houses:
There are just four, the most recent of which were com-
pleted more than 30 years ago. And yet they have become
icons. Now a fifth has been added: a residential building
on a slope, which even the town architect of the Austrian
municipality of Zell am See described as the most import-
ant building since the church of St Hippolyt ...
W 2020 Rem Koolhaas had set himself the ambitious goal of inspi-
ith his large-scale exhibition entitled Countryside: The Future, in
ring us with the dynamism that exists in rural areas – a rediscovered
realm that, in his eyes, opens up new spaces for freedom and experi-
mentation. “The future lies in the countryside!” was the tenor that there-
fore echoed through the Guggenheim Museum in one of the most urban
cities in the world – New York. And it seems that the Dutch architect has
now proved his words of that time to be true. At the very least, the resi-
dential building he designed for an international technology entrepre-
neur resembles a true experiment. The latter called his narrow hillside
plot “unbuildable” and thus indirectly challenged Koolhaas. The result
is a building that is just four metres wide, lies largely underground,
slowly unfolds like a fan in the landscape and ends with a spectacular
view of Lake Zell. It is defined by a monolithic block of white concrete
cleverly inhaling light from above. Even though two thirds of the building
are underground, the interior is by no means dark and oppressive. On
the contrary: cleverly placed glazing and an almost 30-metre-long stair-
case create an atmosphere flooded with light. This may also be due to
the white exposed concrete that characterizes the exterior- and interior
walls, suspended ceilings, sloping roofs and the four-metre cantilevered
balcony. In general, Rem Koolhaas used only a few materials and the
fine, white surfaces are only complemented by dark wood, shiny metal,
green gratings and textile curtains. The latter – like a range of custom-
made furniture – were designed by Koolhaas’ partner Petra Blaisse,
structuring the rooms but also lending them flexibility and emphasizing
selected perspectives on the alpine surroundings. To allow the living
space to be dynamically adapted to the family’s needs, the architect
also provided a few surprises: Movable elements such as a retractable
table, innovative door solutions, transparent floor panels and targeted
views in and out make the most of the 280 square metres. A rhythmic
spatial continuum thus unfolds over three storeys and the experiment to
achieve great things in a small space has definitely paid off.
AIT 3.2024 • 099