House FranzInes
(Graz, Austria), Design: 2004; Completion: fall 2005

Program:	house transformation & extension, private
Client:	DI Franz Ruprecht, Dr. Ines Pamperl 8020 Graz
Size/Area:	approx. 150 m²
Budget:	130.000,- Euro
Copyright Photos:	Michael Nagl, Vienna

The task was to transform the orientation of a 1960s house and its relationship to the generous garden, while extending the floor area, reorganizing the internal functions, and making the house more energy-efficient. Typical of single-family homes from this period, the ground floor was raised 1.2 m above the otherwise flat terrain, the living spaces oriented to the southern access road, and the main entrance positioned to the back, reachable via the garden. This organization resulted to in a disassociated relationship between garden and domestic space.
The floor space was extended from 110m2 to 190m2, and although the recently installed heating system had been dimensioned for the original house size, a thermal rehabilitation with improved insulation enabled the successful use of the heating system for the 70% expanded living space. A combination of wall heating and floor heating maintains a comfortable indoor climate.
The renovation plays with different room heights and changing levels, whereas the kitchen-living room is fitted to the level of the garden to the north, a legitimate answer given the warm climate of Southern Styria. An intimate terrace off of the living area opens to the south and west, perfect for the in-between seasons, and the evening hours. Two car parking places are located under the living room, and lead directly into the heart of the house. A ramp leads into the main entrance which opens into a small foyer, which serves as a distributor to the living quarters and the private sleeping and work areas.