ALPSTEIN
ALPSTEIN
ALPSTEIN Two-Family House: An Elegantly Integrated Final Piece in Appenzell
ALPSTEIN combines contemporary Appenzell architecture with two generous apartments, integrated loggias and a clearly structured layout.
The Final Piece of a Neighbourhood Development Plan
As the final piece of a neighbourhood development plan in Appenzell, ALPSTEIN completes an established residential setting near the historic town centre. The architectural ambition was clear from the outset: to create a building that responds to its existing context without being subordinate to it. The façade composition, material palette and colour scheme were defined at an early stage. All parking is accommodated within the extended underground garage, preserving the outdoor space as one continuous area.
A Contemporary Appenzell House
The light-coloured exposed-concrete base forms a calm foundation for the building and contrasts with the black timber cladding of the upper volume. Applied timber battens reinforce the proportions of the pitched-roof house and emphasise the façade’s vertical articulation. Continuous gold-toned window sills structure the volume horizontally. Patterns embedded in the building envelope and full-height metal screens establish a connection to local history and anchor ALPSTEIN within its Appenzell context.
Cleverly and Centrally Organised
Both apartments are accessible by lift and each features a loggia integrated into the building volume. On the ground floor, the open-plan kitchen and dining area is arranged around a centrally positioned, rounded element containing a utility room and shower. Two bedrooms and an office complete the 185 m², 4.5-room apartment.
Aesthetics and Function Combined
The second residence extends across the two upper floors and offers 260 m² of living space. On the upper floor, the living, dining and kitchen area with a wood-burning stove unfolds beneath a higher ceiling, while a generous loggia extends the living space outdoors. Visible from the interior, the metal screens serve both aesthetic and functional purposes: they articulate the exterior façade and act as semi-transparent fall protection in front of the opening windows. Within the loggia, horizontally positioned screens perform the same function.
Spaciousness Within
The music room adjoins the open-plan kitchen and dining area through a glass wall, creating a seamless visual connection within the apartment. In addition to the extra room on the upper floor, the attic floor accommodates the private retreat, comprising a dressing room, bathroom and bedroom. Together, these spaces form a 5.5-room apartment. Two large attic spaces on this floor also provide additional storage.
