When the designers embarked on this project”RAUMSchiff – Boathouse at the Lake Plansee”, they were a team of four architecture students (Mumun Keser, Maximilian Wacker, Jan Contala, and Philip Schwaderer) who were about to hand in their final theses. Their collaboration began in the first semesters while they consistently pursued experimental projects.
Nestled in this natural setting amidst the convergence of water and forest, their goal was to create a structurally simple but visually captivating sign of contemporary architecture in a natural environment. As architects, seeing their vision transform into a tangible reality is very special.
Traditional boat houses have played an important role in the cultural and practical life of Tyrolean lakes for generations. In their project, they wanted to take a close look at these conventional boathouse typologies and explore how they can improve them while seamlessly integrating them into the local landscape.
“Our design approach focused on reconfiguring the relationship between the walls and the roof of the boathouse. In this way, we aimed to improve the overall structural stability. This innovative design approach resulted in a roof that not only fulfilled its primary function but also took on the appearance of the surrounding mountain ranges, contributing to both the form and function of the boathouse.” said Mumun Keser.
One of the particular challenges of this project was adapting to the specific terrain and water levels in the area. The traditional orthogonal entrance for boats, which is common for boathouses, was unsuitable for their site due to the fluctuating water levels. Therefore, they developed an optimized platform design that follows an S-shaped path starting from the adjacent road.
This optimization of the design served a dual purpose. Firstly, the available parking space has been significantly increased, which is essential for the convenience of visitors. Secondly, and equally importantly, a highly flexible and easily accessible boat access was created to accommodate fluctuating water levels and the varying needs of users. Such as a space for working on and possibly repairing boats and a platform at the front to linger and enjoy the enchanting views of Plansee.
By carefully considering these design elements and the unique characteristics of the site, they wanted to create a boathouse that seamlessly blends into its surroundings, honors the local culture, and meets the practical requirements of the Tyrolean lakes, while providing a visually striking and stable structure that complements the surrounding landscape. The final building is a hybrid of traditional timber piling and modern CNC-bonded solid timber panels.
Project Info
Project Team: Mumun Keser, Maximilian Wacker, Jan Contala and Philip Schwaderer
Engineering: Christoph Thurner, Breitenwang Statik Wood Engineering, Höfen
Construction: Holzbau Saurer, Höfen
Clients: Roland Wolf/Agrargemeinschaft Breitenwang, Weißenbach
City: Breitenwang
Country: Austria
Images: Mümün Keser and Philip Schwaderer
Year: 2022
