Gautschi Lenzin Schenker

House . Rombach

Gautschi Lenzin Schenker Architekten . photos: © Andreas Graber . + baunetz

The house lies at the foot of the Jura Mountains in the middle of a residential area at the boarder of Aarau, Switzerland.
One of the aims in the design was to create a large top floor. From there one can enjoy a fabulous view of the city with a backdrop of the Alps in the distance. The house can be divided into two separate living quarters, as was the client’s request. As it stands, the house is being used as a family home. The border margins and the interpretation of the strict Swiss laws on top floors were the leading criteria behind the shape of the building.

The main entrance to the house is set in on the side of the building. The internal infrastructure has two sets of stairs as well as an elevator. On the first floor there is the master bedroom, two offices, a conservatory, bath room and a large recreation room.
The recreation room is also the area, which in future can be used as a living room for the smaller housing unit. Adjacent to this room lies the balcony/ loggia. The top floor contains a large living/dining area. Two outdoor areas with walls of different heights on opposite sides of the living and dining area encapsulate the room. In the basement there is a cellar and secondary rooms.
The facade is implemented with square, black framed wooden/metal windows, which capture different views and ensure optimal lighting. The balcony/ loggia on the first floor and the cutouts on the top floor are equipped with heavy sliding windows in wood and wood-metal. A wooden grate gives the balcony/ loggia a sense of privacy and a feeling of security.
All outside areas possess a very high-quality and long-lasting wooden grating (Moabi wood). The shell of the building including the outside areas are covered with coarse vertical planks (Red Cedar), painted with colourless oil. This make of wood possesses excellent structural-physical qualities and in the course of time develops a beautiful grey patina.
The design of the surface area was influenced by sound insulation requirements and the structural design of the building. Structural concrete walls and ceilings were left untouched, whereas the brick walls were plastered with coloured plaster.
This kind of building material creates a comfortable indoor climate. The floor covers in the open areas are cast out of grey anhydrite. The floors in the rooms are covered with oiled solid wooden boards (Afromasia).