In the picturesque landscape of Gars am Kamp, Austria, a detached house was built that combines nature, architecture and sustainable construction in a special way. Situated on a steep hillside plot, it offers a unique view of the historic Gars Castle - a real “box seat” view in a quiet location. The consistent use of mass timber construction with load-bearing elements made of prefabricated Sylva™ CLT Walls and Roofs from Stora Enso creates a durable and aesthetically pleasing building with a low carbon footprint.

Shaped by the topography

The shape of the land influenced the design of the building. Its uneven form and four unique façades follow the slope of the site. Large canopies create a sheltered space between indoors and outdoors. On the valley side, a small overhang makes the building feel light - almost like it's floating above the landscape. The load-bearing walls and ceilings are made of Sylva™ CLT, which is perfect for use on slopes thanks to its structural properties, high load-bearing capacity and dimensional stability.

Larch finish

Inside, the Sylva CLT elements are finished with a larch overlay. This larch finish enhances the natural grain and warmth of the wood, contributing to the building's timeless aesthetic. The overlay was applied at Stora Enso's mill in Bad St. Leonhard. The larch lamellae were carefully selected for visual quality, planed and sanded, before they were applied as the outermost layer during the CLT panel pressing process.

Aluminum and mass timber: a durable duo

The warm visual look of wood stays visible on the interior, while the outside is protected by a low-maintenance aluminum façade. The dark exterior gives the house a quiet elegance and helps it blend into the landscape, while also shielding the exposed wooden structure from the weather.

Designed for light, framed by views

The building is designed to make the most of the view. The kitchen, children's room, and gallery all face northeast toward Gars Castle. Large windows open the space to the outdoors and let in lots of natural light. On the south side, smaller windows help keep the house cool in summer. Skylights add even more light where it's needed.

Nature living

The ground floor includes an open living area, bedrooms, and a peaceful Zen Garden. Upstairs are the studio, children's room, and gallery - with separate access for flexible use. An outdoor kitchen and a large, covered terrace extend the living space outside. A simple annex holds an office, workshop, and storage, forming a cozy courtyard with the main house.