Otto Partner Architekten

Description

The new apartment building is situated on a remnant plot of a street-facing municipal parcel in Stein. Directly on the main road stands one of the few remaining buildings from the former village core. Attached to its fire wall, the new three-storey structure is situated at the interface between the core and village zones, its design bridging the gap between the polygonal architecture of «Rheinfelspark» and the historic building from 1803. The character of the building is defined by the self-supporting wooden access decks on both façades. Composed of beams and columns, the layered framework creates a permeable and spatially rich structure that counteracts the constraints of the compact site while functioning as a filter between interior and exterior. The moss-green timber elements envelop the building like a net, combined with rough wooden panels as filling. The differentiated shades of green reference the pale green façade of the existing historic building and reinterpret it in varying nuances, establishing a coherent ensemble of old and new. The roof plane with its exposed rafter construction extends beyond the access deck zones, providing protection from weathering. The access decks also serve as entrances to the appartements, which have a simple yet clever layout. Polished floors in combination with timber and colour continue the architectural expression of the façade into the interiors, creating a consistent and cohesive spatial identity throughout the building.