A new ensemble in an Alpine village

In the hamlet of Gampelün, part of Frastanz in Vorarlberg, The House in the Orchard reinterprets the local building tradition through a vertical residential form. Replacing a dismantled stable, the three-story wooden tower and an adjacent concrete patio with a carport form a small courtyard ensemble that responds to the site’s slope and the neighboring historic farmhouses. Its clean silhouette and square footprint reference the local typology while asserting a pared-down, contemporary language.

Regional craftsmanship and local materials

Designed by Firm Architekten, the structure was built entirely from timber sourced from the client’s own forest, felled in harmony with the lunar calendar. Every material and tradesperson came from within 50 kilometers, underscoring a commitment to ecological and economic sustainability. The untreated timber facade and triple-soaped interior wood surfaces reflect a raw, honest materiality, contrasting the ornate style of the traditional buildings nearby.

A wooden tower with layered views

The design distinguishes between expansive and focused views: the open-plan ground floor opens generously to the surrounding landscape, while the upper floors feature carefully framed window openings. These strategic apertures and the layered wooden beams add rhythm to the cube-like volume. The structural system of solid spruce rests on just three columns, allowing for a largely open base and an immersive experience of the Alpine surroundings.

Interwoven past and future

The concrete patio and organically shaped roof tie the new building to the old farmhouse, merging indoor and outdoor spaces. Locally sourced fir, beech, and elm enrich the interiors and exterior furnishings. Continuing a family legacy, the client’s ancestors once built the original farmhouse with timber from the same forest—now renewed through the planting of 750 young trees for future generations.

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