Residential & Studio House Lechner

18, Priesterhaus Alley, Salzburg, Austria

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Residential & Studio House Lechner

18, Priesterhaus Alley, Salzburg, Austria

YEAR

2010

An Energy Efficient House in the Midst of Salzburgs World Heritage Site.Nowadays, plenty of space and countryside is usually sought by anyone wishing to realise the dream of owning their own house. That this can also work differently is a fact demonstrated by Christine and Horst Lechner – in the middle of the historic centre of Salzburg.Here, they are attempting to realise a holistic, modern life model by means of environmentally friendly and sustainable living. It is for this reason that they have erected an energy efficient house in the centre of Salzburg’s old town. Such a project in zone 1 (World Heritage Site) naturally requires certain grants for its development and implementation. The basic architectural idea works upon the premise that the future of towns in Europe will be marked by the return to urban living. For this reason, the project is not based upon "energy" autonomy, but rather on living quality with – and through – connections to the outdoors. Despite unfavourable circumstances, such as monument protection, a large amount of shading through neighbouring houses and a relatively small plot area, the natives of Salzburg were thus able to realise an energy efficient house in the inner-city location using a contemporary steel construction.Uniting life, work and leisure timeAt the forefront of all considerations is efficient usage, functionality and living comfort: "Everything that one could dream of," says Horst Lechner. Thus, over several levels, a work place, living area and leisure space were brought together under one roof. However, first and foremost, the house attempts to ensure autonomy in terms of energy and leisure quality. Energy efficiencySome 35 m2 of photovoltaic systems, the panels of which work with diffuse light due to the lack of permanent sunshine, generate more electricity than is required by the family for heating, household appliances and lighting.The generated electricity is used, among other things, to operate geothermal pumps that provide heat in the winter and are also used for cooling in the summer. The room temperature is supported by controlled living room ventilation with waste heat recoveryFeeling good and enjoying leisure timeInstead of fleeing the city, the house owners put the emphasis on leisure time in the house and in the city: "Feeling good at home, in the office, in one’s own ‘garden’". The roof terrace incorporates the city within its own living space and simultaneously functions as a garden in which home-grown tomatoes are produced, amongst other things. The plants and harvested produce support the prevailing thoughts of autonomy and sustainability, as well as the quality of life.