Steinrieselnstrasse housing
Steinrieselnstrasse 10–12, 9100 Herisau
Study competition, 1st Prize 2012
2017–2018
Private
Seraina Wirz
The apartment building is located on the steep Steinrieselnstrasse, on a north-facing slope. The compact structure fits into the existing grain of the neighbourhood. With its pentagonal form, the house succeeds in standing on the street with its north facade, while at the same time having four other well-lit facades.
A wide staircase leads the residents from the garage forecourt at the lowest point of the plot to the building entrance. A curved staircase leads from the entrance hall to the apartments. The three standard floors each have a 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 room apartment. The entrance area is designed as the central arrival point for each apartment. It is located at the transition between the day and night areas. The living rooms and bedrooms are dual or triple-aspect. Adjacent to the living rooms, there is a south-facing balcony in each corner of the building. On the top floor is a spacious attic apartment. Each of the three areas of the apartment have their own large outdoor space. More
Natural larch shingles give the building its character. Like the existing buildings nearby, the new building also has precisely placed, uniform windows. These are framed by dark anodised aluminium frames.
The warm character of natural wood also characterises the interiors. The wooden handrail and the entrance doors are joined in the staircase by granite flooring. In the apartments, the oak window frames and parquet flooring contrast with the white walls and ceilings. The private outdoor spaces are completely lined with wood. Here, the wooden floorboards meet the shingles of the facade, merging inside and out.
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