Studio and Guest House in Riederau
- Julia Liese
This striking monolithic structure is a habitable sculpture in lightweight concrete. Erected on the architects’ own site, it complements their dwelling house from 1987 in the same material. The spatial programme is extremely simple, comprising a kitchen-cum-living-room and a bedroom, with a bathroom between, while on the roof is an accessible timber deck. The use of 50 cm expanded concrete for the outer enclosure allowed the avoidance of insulation. The spatial impression internally, therefore, is determined by the red exposed-concrete roof and walls – achieved with the addition of iron oxide. The contractor was given a free hand with the execution of the concrete in terms of formwork, anchor holes, etc., permitting the creation of a spontaneous, “imperfect” surface. Smooth steel shuttering was used.
