This gorgeous lakeside villa in Austria has a wooden filigree shading structure that evokes turn-of-the-century masterpieces of Viennese Secessionist architecture. The elaborate patterns inspired by local design appear to be made from metal when seen from afar, and cast intricate shadows on the home's interior walls. The Vienna-based architect Alexander Diem collaborated with artists Nick Oberthaler and Plamen Dejanoff to craft a residence that merges art and architecture. And the result is simply spectacular.
The house features a spatial hierarchy that favors areas where its residents spend most time. Primary living spaces have double height ceilings, while auxiliary rooms occupy less space and have lower ceilings. In order to provide an optimal level of privacy, the architects introduced a wooden façade that provides a shaded space within the volume of the building and can be automatically moved to bring natural light into the interior.
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Gorgeous patterns of the wooden screens reference traditional patterns found in local design and give the building a feel of airiness and fine porosity. When the wooden panels are open, residents can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape and adjacent lake. At night, the screens shelter the interior from outside views, but create a glowing effect that emphasizes the beauty and intricate detailing of the wooden structure.
Photos by Andreas Balon