Located on the shores of Lake Biel, this timber house is surrounded by lush vegetation and tall trees. The house has been designed in close conjunction with the surrounding natural landscape, as a place to experience different lighting moods, changing weather conditions and seasonal changes. Like a ship’s deck, a timber veranda extends the ground floor living space and encircles the body of the house, opening out towards the garden and floating in a sea of wild grasses.
In order to be protected from small, seasonal floods, the house is elevated eighty centimetres above the riverbank meadow. Thus generous cedar wood deck is held above the shimmering surface of the lake when it overflows its banks.
Elements such as the fireplace and kitchen counters demaracte different areas and at the same time create exciting diagonal spatial relationships. Deep sliding elements allow the space to merge with the surrounding veranda, thus enlarging the living area.
The entire house is built as a timber construction. Within, the materialisation of the timber structure is continued in the floors and the ceiling. The ceilings are covered with white varnished timber, while the floors are made of robust oak. All interior wall surfaces are plastered with lime plaster ensuring a good indoor climate. The façade also continues the expression of the spruce construction. The exterior timber has been treated with a special light wood glaze. A play of light and shadow is created on the façade, which emphasises the different layers and the fine details.
