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Architects Collective: L-House

In this single family house, the typical South Austria L-shaped floor plan is updated, inviting in natural light and visually extending the living space into the garden and the hills around it.

Architects Collective have completed the L-House, a new home for a young family located on the outskirts of a small settlement in the South Austria's Burgenland region. The traditional and typical L-shaped floor plan of the region's homes was developed further, advancing the modern home, energy and living concepts. The client wished for a contemporary living experience that blended into the surrounding landscape. The result is a habitat that reflects the way the family lives and incorporates design quality, sustainability and functionality in everyday life. According to the architects, "the L-House is an avant-garde architectural gem that merges the needs of its residents with the environment."

The region's historical typology, the L-shaped building, was updated and translated into this structure. The form creates a protected courtyard and separate living and sleeping zones. Generous glass invites in natural light and visually extends the living space into the garden and the hills behind it. The cantilevered corner of the L-shape creates a covered entrance area that leads into a two-story foyer and a courtyard. The upper level is divided into a bedroom and a living-dining-kitchen zone. Between the two areas is a continuous open space that is flexible and can be altered over the years by the residents. Currently the space is being used as a children's play and reading area.

Architects Collective, <em>L-House</em> single-family house, Austria — Architects Collective, *L-House* single-family house, Austria

The house, with 300 square metres of usable floor area, offers generous views of rolling hills and is naturally lit during the day. The deliberate building form establishes a dialogue with its surrounding landscape and feels light and airy. At the same time, the building achieved the stringent classification of an ultra-low-energy-house by using triple-panel glass. Additionally, the building's orientation and its deep overhangs increased the comfort and lowered the energy costs for the inhabitants. "Light, design and comfort are the key elements of this bright gem in Southern Burgenland," state Architects Collective.

Architects Collective: L-House
Location: Burgenland, Austria
Planning period: September 2009 - January 2010
Construction period: October 2010 - February 2012
Usable floor area: 300 square metres, excluding garage and technical rooms
Gross floor area: 450 square metres, including garage and technical rooms
Building volume: 1850 cubic metres
Construction: Reinforced concrete / partial steel (cantilever) and wood (canopy)
Energy standard: "Very low-energy-house" (Niedrigstenergiehaus)

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Architects Collective: L-House

In this single family house, the typical South Austria L-shaped floor plan is updated, inviting in natural light and visually extending the living space into the garden and the hills around it.

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