The original barnhouse was a u-shaped structure with space for livestock on one side and living quarters on the other, separated by a courtyard and a walkway. One of the arms of the structure was buried into the hillside, leaving only the peaked roof showing from the back meadow. This left the home disjointed from the surrounding land — to update it, Vienna-based Propeller Z designed a modern glass living area adjacent to the barnhouse.
Built on a budget of €70,000, ‘Flag’ adds a new dimension to the existing barnhouse, providing the home with a new space outfitted with modern conveniences. A set of outdoor stairs leads from the barn courtyard up to the new addition, which is constructed from steel, glass, concrete, and locally-sourced wood. The new addition is insulated with recycled newspaper, and the North facade is skinned with a stacked wood in a nod towards stacked firewood used for heating, plus it adds another layer of insulation and protection.
Via Designboom
Photo credits: Courtesy of Propeller Z by ©Hertha Hernaus



















I love that external wall lined with cut logs – a traditional solution to both seasoning logs and aiding the insulation of a building.
The interiors are a little too sterile for this type of building…
[...] acting like a fortress against the elements when settlers were shaping the vast landscape. The new building wraps around to protect the commons from the harsh south-west winds, creating a large central [...]
[...] eco-friendly as it is beautiful, green features abound throughout the entire complex, including a stacked wood facade built from fallen trees on site, a green roof and an integrated, energy efficient design. [...]