Completed in 2019 by the renowned Lechner & Lechner Architects, this striking hillside residence in Salzburg masterfully weaves together modern architectural elements and the beauty of its natural surroundings. With its ingenious compact design and breathtaking views, this exceptional dwelling effortlessly connects its inhabitants to the environment. The carefully crafted design features converge to deliver an unparalleled living experience that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, all while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic that thoughtfully complements the hillside terrain.
Above the Trees Residence Technical Information
- Architects1: Lechner & Lechner Architects
- Location: Salzburg, Austria
- Topics: Houses
- Area: 224 m2
- Project Year: 2019
- Photographs: © Melissa Zgouridi
The design aims to create a living space that feels like a high seat just above the treetops. The combination of wooden construction, concrete walls on sight, and pig iron create both tension and coziness, while all components in contact with the ground and the stiffening core are made of reinforced concrete.
– Lechner & Lechner Architects
Above the Trees Residence Photographs
Text by the Architects
Located on a sloping site in Salzburg City, this building can be accessed via a small road. Its unique location offers an opportunity to design a structure that seamlessly integrates with the hillside terrain, creates a strong connection to the outside environment, and provides distant views.
Despite its compact design, the building features a covered forecourt on the ground floor that dominates the top floor and provides a valuable horizontal surface on the hillside. The floor-to-ceiling window areas are oriented towards the balconies and terraces on the east, south, and west, establishing a primary relationship with the outside space.
The building’s floor plan gradually narrows towards the distant view, which allows for a breathtaking mountain scenery view from the rear rooms, including the bathtub. From the city of Salzburg‘s side, the building appears slender and unobtrusive. The structure consists of three floors, with entry through the forecourt. Due to the hillside location, the anteroom and guest rooms are on the first floor, along with a translucent bathroom. The view in the distance is deliberately hidden to increase the surprise effect. The heart of the house is on the next floor, which also doubles as the roofing of the forecourt.
The design aims to create a living space that feels like a high seat just above the treetops. The combination of wooden construction, concrete walls on sight, and pig iron create both tension and coziness, while all components in contact with the ground and the stiffening core are made of reinforced concrete. The remaining walls and ceilings, as well as the entire upper floor, are made of wood, while steel girders and supports ensure the necessary structural stability.
The kitchen and living room boast breathtaking views of the Salzburg mountain landscape, with the tension between concrete and wood extending into the kitchen. A concreted kitchen block and an open concreted fireplace invite relaxation, while the free-standing kitchen unit faces the mountain backdrop. Canopies and terraces protect the living area from overheating and create a sense of security, and light holes in the canopy create a varied play of daylight, with one of them leading to the sauna area on the roof, perfect for enjoying the dramatic sunset with a view of the mountains.
Above the Trees Residence Plans
Above the Trees Residence Image Gallery
About Lechner & Lechner Architects
Lechner & Lechner, now known as lechner-lechner-lechner ZT gmbh, is an Austrian architecture office that was founded by Christine and Horst Lechner in 1987. The company is based in Salzburg and has been involved in numerous architectural projects both within Austria and internationally. Over the years, the company has gained a reputation for its innovative and sustainable designs, which have been widely recognized for their quality and creativity.
Works from Lechner & Lechner Architects
- Lead Architects: Christine Lechner
