Wasserschloss

Vogelsang, Gebenstorf, Switzerland
Photo © Jan Bitter

The residential building block Wasserschloss (trans: castle of water) lies directly on the banks of the Aare River right across from a nature reserve. The residents of the 33 units have a direct view of the water from their windows and the confluence of the Limmat, Reuss and Aare Rivers.

The four-storey apartment block is oriented towards the river and nature. Through a sharp bend in the building, the volume is broken to optimize both the views and natural lighting of the living units. Each unit has a view of the river and gains natural light from both sides. The compact nature of the building and its placement near the riverbank leaves a generous open area on the building’s opposite side for a playful and nature-oriented garden.

Through the horizontal orientation of the façade accentuated by a color gradient that becomes lighter towards the top, the building blends into the natural surroundings and upwards towards the sky. Moreover, the exterior wall cladding of horizontal metal bands plays with varying reflections of light and water.

Client
Schönbühl Immobilien AG

Collaborations
S+B Baumanagement AG, Gruner AG

Photo © Jan Bitter
Photo © Jan Bitter
Photo © Jan Bitter
Photo © Jan Bitter
Photo © Jan Bitter
Photo © Jan Bitter
Photo © Jan Bitter
Photo © Radek Brunecky
Photo © Radek Brunecky
Photo © Radek Brunecky
Photo © Radek Brunecky
Architects
Holzer Kobler Architekturen
Year
2012
Project Status
Built

Related Projects 

  • Secondary School Schulstraße
    Kronaus Mitterer Architekten
  • GROHE Water Experience Center
    D’art Design Gruppe GmbH
  • Limmatquai 4
    Kästli Storen
  • Primary School Erlaaer Schleife
    Kronaus Mitterer Architekten
  • Ortsdurchfahrt Domat/Ems
    Luminum GmbH

Magazine 

Other Projects by Holzer Kobler Architekturen 

Erlebnis-Hus St. Peter-Ording
St. Peter-Ording, Germany
Design Hostel Warnemünde
Warnemünde, Germany
Qin – The Eternal Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors
Bern, Switzerland
Under One Roof
Lausanne, Switzerland
Arche Nebra (Nebra Ark)
Wangen, Germany