The Austrian architecture studio smartvoll won the prestigious AZ Award 2018 for their project Loft Panzerhalle in Salzburg, Austria. During the annual gala held in Toronto, 64 finalists from more than 950 submissions competed for the trophy. The Loft Panzerhalle won the award in the residential interior category. 

2013, architects of smartvoll came out as winners at the internationally advertised contest for the loft in the Panzerhalle. Their design captivates through specific, spatial dramaturgy. On 350 square metres and two storeys, the classic idea of a “loft” is noticeable, yet is being reinterpreted in many regards. “I never play with the façade, I do not live there“, said Adolf Loos. As Loos has concerned himself with definitions of space, smartvoll does the same, more than 100 years later. A special focus lies on the exhaustion of materials and of what is technologically possible. Architecture unfolds on the inside. The room- and material-concept develops the encountered and retains the established. Smoothed and waxed concrete is one of the decisive materials for shaping the interior.

“We wanted to revitalize the space’s original charm. Magnanimity and a spatial experience of both storeys were priorities. In all dimensions.”

The space is not only being preserved, but it is being enriched by completely new qualities. In order to ensure consistent brightness everywhere, smartvoll decided to forgo typical galleries and to basically leave the upper ribbon window free. Bedroom, bathroom and guestroom are distributed throughout the space, as separate bodies. The epicenter of the room is the kitchen – a seven-meter-long block. The whole composition is rounded off by a concrete sculpture, or stair sculpture, which not only opens up all rooms, but also appears to be carrying them.

“Through the stair sculpture, which spans across the rooms, you do not see the way between the levels as a vertical, functional connection, but rather as an electric spatial experience.”

Incidentally, the sculpture divides the room, creates a roof over the kitchen, recesses and elevations and therefore allows you to stay in motion – and to see everything from everywhere. The same applies to the glass shower, which protrudes from the fully glazed bathing block at a height of five meters. James-Bond décor like this can be found all over. The absolute highlight, albeit being a bit hidden, is the wellness area. Fireplace included.

The stairs are an architecture within the architecture. Concreted in-house, the engineering is being exhausted in all respects. A tender object with minimal dimensions, but tremendous spatial impact. Something that does not allow for competition: Besides the concrete, only subtle, semi-transparent materials are being used, such as Profilit, to separate the guest area, curtains for the bedroom or integrated furniture, like a hanging steel shelf. Every other piece of furniture seems to be integrated into the construction. An unalterable picture, which celebrates only free space.

 “Connections of space and view are being held intact marvelously and the room is not being cut into different bodies, but can be experienced perfectly with its impressive height of eight meters.”

At the lower level, the room is connected to two balconies. However, even this façade aligns itself with the carriers of the concrete sculpture in the slant; the balconies look like additional alcoves of the overall concept. They feature a contemplative zen-garden, including a grassy knoll, a tree jasmine and a classic relax-terrace.

Data Sheet

Construction start: 2015

Completion Year: 2015

Lead Architects: Philipp Buxbaum, Christian Kircher

Project Team: Olya Sendetska, Tobias Colz, Simona Slavova

Project location: Salzburg, Austria

Gross Built Area: 350 m²

Photo credits: Tobias Colz/smartvoll

Client: www.panzerhalle.at

Awards
AZ Award 2018

IDA Design Awards Silver
iF DESIGN AWARD
ID Best of Year Award
IIDA Global Excellence Award
WIN Awards 2016

About smartvoll

Smartvoll. It is not merely Phillip Buxbaum and Christian Kircher. Smartvoll is a team of unconventional thinkers and visionaries. Their focus lies unequivocally on the architectonic design process. Having the goal in mind, they always pursue new ways and try out diverging pathways to ultimately surprise with new and extraordinary solutions. No thought should be left unthought when you want to turn a vague starting situation into succinct clarity. The creative freedom during the design process is being completed by a structured realism during the realization. Although, what should never be missing, is an unpretentious environment where one can have fun and laugh.