GERNER GERNER PLUS

Reinterpretation of the classical „Stadtvilla” – gerner°gerner plus architects realized this low-energy house with six residential apartments for a private client. The apartments feature generous layouts with a room height of 2,85m and high quality interior fittings. Another benefit is the building’s location: a residential estate with parklike surroundings in the 13th district of Vienna, with direct connection to the road network and public transportation as well as to numerous local recreational areas.

The key concept was the idea to reference the buildings’ architecture to the surrounding mansions’ predominant design elements and by reinterpretating them in a contemporary way. Different types of traditional houses in the neighbourhood were analysed and used as examples. The result is an architecture that is in tune with it’s surroundings.

Many of the neighbouring buildings feature jutties and white window frames. These elements were reused in a contemporary way and are even enhanced. The jutties become whole rooms which protrude from the main volume as white boxes. Cut-in loggias counterbalance the buildings’ mass. The configuration of each apartment can easily be read because of this distinctive design of the facade.

The building is clad with dark-grey fibre cement panels, which are a quotation of the typical dark wooden shingle facades of this area. The facade is covering the entire outside walls as well as the roof. In order to keep the appearance of this “skin” as pure as possible, the rainwater drainage is led through the inside of the building. By shaping the buildings’ volume according to the classical saddle-roof typology, a maximum of space was created on all levels.

The six apartments with 82–120m2 living area are configured with set-through floor plans. This layout provides optimum natural illumination and ventilation. There is no air-conditioning needed.

The apartments are opened to the garden with room high windows to create private spaces on the one side and on the other side they face the street to provide a communicative sphere.

The particularity of this residential building is the immediate connection to the park-like surroundings combined with the possible neighbourly relationships – it is the balance between wideness and cosiness.

Each apartment features at least one own free space, either as a garden with terrace, loggia or balcony. The two maisonette apartments (top-floor and gallery) additionally offer two roof-terraces orientated to different directions. The underground parking provides generous parking space.

The selection of high quality products and quality craftmanship was guideline to the interior design concept. Examples for that are the parquet flooring in the living area which is flush with the timber flooring for loggias and terraces as well as the furnishing of all bathrooms with first-class brands and natural stone.