The House Z in Egg

Location: Egg, Vorarlberg, Austria

Year: 2024

Architecture: Guter Plan

Photography: Dominic Kummer

Radical simplicity and material honesty

Single-Family House Z Egg embodies ecological construction at its most uncompromising. Only the parts of the building in contact with the ground were made of reinforced concrete; everything above was built using renewable materials. From the ground floor up, the structure is entirely timber, insulated with traditional straw bales—offering a strong ecological profile. A 5 cm layer of clay, applied directly to the straw, replaces synthetic membranes, naturally regulating moisture and indoor climate.

Local timber and reversible construction

Focusing on circular design principles, all visible surfaces and structural elements were crafted from regional spruce and fir. The ceiling construction uses a dry-laid, fully removable flooring system, allowing for future disassembly and reuse. Every detail, from timber joinery to insulation, reflects a commitment to material purity and regional craftsmanship.

Ash wood interiors and tactile warmth

The interior design continues the home’s ethos of natural materiality. Solid ash wood flooring and furnishings bring warmth and depth to the living spaces, adding tactile richness without compromising the building’s minimalist approach. The material palette is consistent, refined, and deliberately restrained to support a lasting sense of calm.

Heating with respect for the landscape

A tiled central masonry stove clad in Karak ceramics forms the thermal and atmospheric heart of the home. It complements a ground-source heat pump, delivering efficient, low-tech heating throughout the year. Together, these systems demonstrate how traditional and modern approaches can coexist without overpowering the architecture.

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