Ludescher + Lutz Architekten : Posthus - best architects 26

Ludescher + Lutz Architekten

Posthus

best architects 26

office/administrative buildings

Place

Egg, Austria

Photos

Gustav Willeit

Description

The Posthus in Egg is the new gateway to the Bregenzerwald. The majestic, solitary building with a hipped roof creates a new focal point in the centre of Egg in Vorarlberg. The positioning of the building also makes the church part of the village square. At over five storeys, the Posthus is quite tall, but its central position in the village and the fact that the church is significantly taller make the height seem right. The house, which has the same design on all sides, reveals its orientation through a central doorway, which is accentuated by a curved canopy and a bat dormer in the roof. The new building has a compact design, with an access core connecting all levels from the underground car park to the roof. There is now a restaurant and ice cream parlour on the ground floor. The upper floors house offices and flats. A stack of canopies protects the timber façade from driving rain and at the same time provides structural sun protection for the large perforated windows. Overall, the construction method is in keeping with traditional craftsmanship and the durability of the timber components. The building envelope seeks a symbiosis of clear structure, sustainable construction and regional building tradition. The aim is to combine regional craftsmanship, which is still alive today, with the collective memory of the Baroque master builders of the Bregenzerwald region.