Lechner & Lechner Architects

Nestled atop a hillside in the city of Salzburg, "Above the Trees" is a residential project that embodies a blend of natural beauty and architectural elegance. The building's design, which differs significantly from surrounding urban structures, alludes to the transition between town and country through its materiality and its distinct character. Key features of the building include is its slim profile, emphasized by its taper, and the visual relationships between the building and its surroundings have been a central factor in the development of its floor plan. The design aims to strike a balance between urban living and a connection to nature, creating a serene escape for its residents.

Accessible via a tranquil, meandering road, this building site offers a unique opportunity to craft a structure that blends with the verdant surroundings, allowing residents to fully immerse themselves in the changing altitudes of the hillside. The building prioritizes a connection to the exterior environment, with breathtaking views of the distant landscape.

The structure is designed with a compact form, with the exception of the covered forecourt located on the ground floor, which serves as the building's main entrance. The building includes three floors, and the forecourt is dominated by the top floor, providing an expansive horizontal platform on the hillside. When viewed from the side of Salzburg City, the building appears as a slim and inconspicuous structure, elegantly blending into its surroundings.

On the ground floor, guests are greeted by a series of welcoming rooms, including a translucent bathroom, all positioned to take advantage of the building's hillside location. To increase the surprise effect, the view of the distant mountains is deliberately hidden until reaching the second floor. The heart of the house is found here, a spacious and open floor that also forms the roofing for the ground floor forecourt.

Designed to allow for maximum enjoyment of the surrounding mountain scenery, the floor plan tapers towards the distant view, ensuring that even from the comfort and privacy of the bathroom, one can enjoy panoramic views of the spectacular mountain landscape.

The building's link to the outdoor environment is emphasized through the use of large windows that span from floor to ceiling and are positioned in a way that complements the balconies and terraces facing east, south, and west. This allows for abundant natural light to flood the interior, creating a bright and inviting living space. The balconies and terraces also add to the outdoor living areas and strengthen the connection between inside and outside.

The kitchen and living room have stunning views of the Salzburg mountain range and a design using concrete and wood, including a concrete kitchen block and open fireplace, to create a relaxing atmosphere. The kitchen is positioned to maximize the views and the canopy and terraces provide sun protection and a sense of security. Light holes in the canopy offer a play of light throughout the day and provide access to the roof-top sauna where guests can relax while enjoying the mountain sunset.

The vision behind the "Above the Trees" project was to design a living space that captures the essence of being perched high above the treetops. To bring this vision to life, the architects have taken an authentic approach by utilizing reinforced concrete for all components in contact with the ground, as well as for the core strengthening. The walls, ceilings, and the entire upper floor are made of wood, while steel girders and supports provide additional support as needed. All of these elements are not hidden, but rather proudly displayed in their raw and natural beauty, adding to the overall aesthetic of the project.