The Alpine Zell Membrane - The Alpine Refuge
Structure and Sustainability: The structure is designed to be demountable and reusable, making it suitable for a circular life cycle. If the building is no longer needed one day, the materials can be disassembled and used for new constructions, which minimizes waste and conserves resources.
E020 Single Room 30 m2
This design embodies an innovative approach in modern architecture, characterized by an organic and biomimetic shape. The building seems to be specially created for harmony with its natural environment, with a curved and flowing silhouette that leaves behind the rigid structures of traditional constructions.
The use of prefabrication techniques speaks for an efficient and environmentally friendly construction phase, where individual modules or elements of the building are manufactured in a controlled factory environment and then transported to the site. Assembly on individual foundations resting on existing stones minimizes environmental impact and soil interventions, emphasizing a sustainable construction method.
This not only allows for quick and flexible installation but also future disassembly and reuse of the structure elsewhere, extending the lifespan of the building materials and reducing the ecological footprint of the building.
N022 Panorama Room 30 m2
"Architectural textiles" refer to materials used in architecture and made from woven or non-woven fibers. These textiles are often light and flexible, making them ideal for innovative shapes and structures. They are made from prefabricated, high-strength glass fabrics coated with a transparent or colored silicone coating.
This coating gives the material weather resistance and durability, while the texture of the glass fabric provides an aesthetic quality. This choice of material supports the lightness and transparency of the entire structure and blends harmoniously into the overall concept of the sustainable, demountable, and self-sufficient construction.
"Tensile structures," or tensioned structures, are a specific type of architectural textile characterized by their ability to bear loads primarily through tension rather than compression or bending. They are typically lightweight and can span large areas without the need for many supports, which ensures an open and airy aesthetic. When applied to roofs, they enable innovative, flowing forms that would be difficult to achieve with traditional materials like concrete or steel.
E021 Single Room 2 x 20 m2
The skillful integration into the landscape, combined with sustainable construction methods, is in line with a responsible approach to resource and environmental management. This concept could be groundbreaking for future-proof living and working spaces that are both aesthetically appealing and ecologically sound.
A cell membrane as a thin, flexible barrier that separates the inside of a cell from the outside environment. This membrane is mainly made up of a frame structure with double layers of wood in which protected (proteins) insulation materials from sheep wool are embedded.
The roof skin of our organically biomimetic design consists of architectural textiles, more precisely tensile structures. The term "roof skin" in this description refers to the outer layer or the exterior shell of the roof of our design. The design is organically biomimetic, meaning its forms and structures are inspired by biological organisms and in harmony with the principles of biomimetics, which integrate the patterns and processes of nature into the design.
E023 Egg Room 20 m2
The roof membrane of our design is made from special tension-capable textiles, which allow for the creation of organic and dynamic shapes that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, in harmony with nature, and enable a lightweight construction.
Our architectural vision for this house in the alpine landscape of Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany is based on the prefabrication of wooden frame elements. This modular construction allows for precise and resource-efficient building. Each element is prefabricated and assembled on-site with minimal disturbance to the natural environment. This method not only reduces construction time but also allows for greater precision and quality, as the components can be manufactured under controlled conditions.
Technology: In combination with the integrated photovoltaic system, rainwater storage, and compost toilet, my design embodies a holistic concept of sustainability. The house is not only an energy-self-sufficient building but also a model for future-proof construction that combines the principles of sustainability and environmentally conscious living.