Residential building in Pressbaum
The ‘Sunlighthouse’ in Pressbaum near Vienna emerged as the winner of a competition which Velux had invited nine emerging Austrian architectural offices to compete in 2008. Subsequently, an intensive 18 months planning and optimisation phase began. In comparison, the actual construction phase of six months was relatively short. The house was to be powered exclusively by renewable energies, produce more energy than it consumed and have – including the production of the building materials – a positive CO2 balance. In contrast, the site location represents the Austrian mainstream rather than the stringent principals of sustainability. It is a sloping site in a totally car dependant area of dispersed settlement in the hills west of Vienna. It has a steep incline and is partially shaded by the adjacent woodland and neighbouring building. Large openings in the building were only possible on the eastern side of the site where the panoramic view extends into the valley below.
