Combining tradition with sustainable architecture
It is easy to see why a young family would want to settle down in Auerstal. The village in Austria’s Weinviertel region is characterised by dense and enclosed housing in the centre, a beautiful alley lined with wine cellars, and a gentle, hilly landscape.
On the outskirts of the village, the Döllinger-Tsao family of three set out to replace an old barn with a new energy-saving house that would connect to the next-door home of one of the owner’s parents.
The environmentally conscious family came across architect Martin Rührnschopf, who is known for his sensitive approach and location-based ecological architecture.
Taking a holistic approach to energy, comfort and environment, the project team set out to develop a low-tech Active House concept with high residential quality. The small site, nestled between two existing buildings, had previously contained a barn; the new structure would ideally offer modern living conditions while paying tribute to the past.