The Living Sculpture, a residential project located in Salzburg, Austria, embodies the harmonious merger of architectural design and natural surroundings. The project's goal is to integrate the living spaces within the environment, drawing inspiration from the area's natural beauty and utilizing strategic visual connections with iconic landmarks such as the Leopoldkron Castle, the Leopoldskorner pond, Hohensalzburg fortress, and the Untersberg. The project's unique floor plan and three-dimensional building shape are carefully crafted to enhance these views, while the exterior design seamlessly integrates the interior spaces with the surrounding environment.
The end result of the project was the realization of two sleek, asymmetrical structures featuring a central opening. The ground floor entryway is defined by the configuration of the ancillary facility and the main building, resulting in a narrow spatial configuration. The slender design of the ground floor reveals a sweeping vista of the garden, including a water feature and a sculptural staircase, imbuing the architecture with an artistic flair. The combination of these elements generates an inviting and dynamic entrance experience that establishes the overall aesthetic of the development.
The ground floor spaces of the project are designed to seamlessly integrate with the natural surroundings through their form and the exterior garden design. These spaces evoke a sense of warmth and homeliness, reminiscent of a hobbit cave. The garden, Leopoldkroner pond, and Untersberg mountain serve as prominent visual references in the design, creating a harmonious connection between the interior and exterior spaces.
The outdoor area of the project is crafted as a fluid transition between the built environment and the natural surroundings. The design of the water feature is strategically orientated to align with the Leopoldkroner pond, creating a visual connection between the two bodies of water. The water feature is also elevated in relation to the surrounding terrain, adding an element of movement and dynamic to the space. The residential sculpture can be accessed via an external spiral staircase, allowing for an immersive experience of the architectural form and landscaping. The use of organic shapes and strategic planting serves to seamlessly integrate the structure into the landscape, creating a cohesive and unified design.
The design of the first floor is heavily influenced by the connection to the exterior spaces. The living area is connected with the outdoors through two expansive terraces, one facing the Leopoldskroner pond, fortress Hohensalzburg, and Schloss Leopoldskron, and the other oriented towards the private realm. These terraces allow for a fluid transition between the indoor and outdoor spaces. The architectural design of the living sculpture encourages exploration, allowing for a circular traversal via two vertical openings that connect the interior and exterior spaces.
The construction of this project employed the use of timber frame method, utilizing precision-cut wooden frames that were fabricated using a CNC milling machine, and subsequently clad with wooden boards. The outer walls were insulated with ample thermal insulation material, placed between the individual wooden studs. The exterior finish of the building was achieved by applying Polyurea, a material commonly used in the construction of rhinoceros enclosures in zoos, chosen for its durability and natural aesthetic.