Gardenhouse.Refugium.Laboratorium.Klausur - Steyr, Austria, 2014

Architects: Hertl.Architekten ZT GmbH.
Client: Gernot + Ursula Hertl
Contractor: Hinterndorfer Bau GesmbH
Photographer: Walter Ebenhofer

Where in the past a small square marked the medieval gateway to the old town district of Ennsdorf, the garden house stands today. Arisen from an old farmhouse which was entirely ruinous it shapes the counterpart of the historical tollhouse. The traces of the past have slightly vanished, the wayside shrine, that once stood impressive in front of the tollhouse’s gable wall, has been moved to the right. The hedges have become too close to the free area. The new built garden wall follows the narrow contours of the Haratzmüllerstrasse and recesses in alignment with the tollhouse’s gable. Thereby the suggestion of a larger square appears and the entrance to the garden house, which one can feel from outside as lush greens only, becomes clearly visible as a simple corner of the square. 

With its barriers the site ensures calmness but at the same time is open for guests who’d like to immerse into a place of being. We call it garden house because this describes the atmosphere of fusing intense green and space. The content is discribed by Refugium for retreating, Laboratorium for creative workshops, lectures and discussions, and Klausur for private viewings and small cultural events such as vernissages and concerts. The old farmhouse is a ruin. The remaining outer walls create a large courtyard in which the new concrete volume is inserted. It’s a house-in-house concept. Two patios that are linked together beneath the small house into one space.