Villa A in Austria by Najjar & Najjar

Villa A in Austria is designed by Najjar & Najjar. Brothers Karim and Rames Najjar set up their practice in Vienna in 1999, and since then have executed range of designs from naval architecture to commercial buildings, to villas and their beloved ‘research’ projects. Villa A is located nearby on the slope of the Poestling Berg, a mountain overlooking Linz the capital of Upper Austria.

The site is accessed from the road behind leading down hills to the building’s main entrance, covered by an extended cantilever roof structure. On the street side the building facade is closed with natural stonework to provide intimacy towards the street. The other side is entirely open to the panoramic view over the city. The site is accessed from the road behind leading down hills to the building’s main entrance, covered by an extended cantilever roof structure. After crossing a small pond, visitors to the house are invited to take in a stunning view of the city down below before entering into the structure’s central hall. Inside, various functions are located on different levels, but treated as one open space. This sense of openness is amplified by the use of full glazing, which blurs the boundaries between inside and out. The bedrooms are located on the upper levels that are accessed by stairs which lead to an open gallery. The basement floor is partly carved in the ground allocates fitness and wellness facilities, office and a playroom for children. The parking garage and the machine room are dug in under the access road on the north side of the building.

The Roof is a steel beam grid structure with aluminium panel cladding. On the southern and western side of the building the roof cantilevers beyond the terraces so as to provide an efficient sun protection in summer. The low winter sun warms up the interior space. This implementation of the passive energy concept is supported by a recuperator in the ground and sun collectors on the roof.

Architects: Najjar-Najjar Architects
Location: Pöstlingberg, Linz, Austria
Project Area: 420 sqm
Project Year: 2008