What started as a modest refurbishment of a penthouse apartment in the
hills of Vienna’s 19th district quickly became a major renovation,
largely due to an enthusiastic and close working relationship with the
client. The space was originally planned for two separate apartments
divided by a dark and cramped vestibule. The smaller of the two
apartments was unoccupied and used as extra storage space. By removing
most of the non-structural walls we merged the two dwellings and
reorganized the space through a clear division between common and
private areas. The vestibule was enlarged and positioned as a buffer
between the living room/kitchen area and the bedrooms. A built-in
storage cabinet running the length of the vestibule acts as a spine from
which the two areas are accessed. To take advantage of the unobstructed
views of the city skyline, we tore through the façade and installed
large single pane windows running from the floor to the just below the
ceiling height. A unified material palette runs through the entire
space, keeping most surfaces in related tones of gray. All floors and
wet walls are monolithic cement-based surfaces. The built-in cabinetry
is faced with brushed and stained oak boards. Linestra light rods are
periodically built into the cabinetry or engaged in the walls to provide
a warm atmospheric glow.