The builders aimed to extend their existing home by adding a garage to the basement and a sauna, wet room, and relaxation area to the living floor. The design follows the main building’s spatial alignment, positioning the extension precisely along its axis. A galvanized steel staircase, suspended freely between the two structures, serves as the dividing yet connecting element, linking the old and new parts of the house.

While the extension is subordinate to the main building, it stands out due to its contrasting materials. Encased in reinforced concrete, the extension is primarily in contact with the ground, featuring a sandblasted exposed concrete surface that mirrors the main building’s plastered base. Wooden slats along the cantilevered parapet interpret the alternating seam formwork, while the sectional door’s joint pattern is a simplified version of the main building’s tilting door. A large protective canopy crowns the extension. Inside, the upper floor is dominated by ash wood, with all surfaces—including floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture—crafted from solid, local brown heart ash.

The client, an experienced carpenter, handled the interior work personally. Only the fireplace, made of oiled brass sheet, and a rear wall of colored clay plaster break the consistent wood aesthetic. A terrace, featuring a small plunge pool, serves as a private outdoor space, connecting both the extension and the main building. Located on a steep hillside, it offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountain landscape of the rear Bregenzerwald.

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