A pavilion rich in contrast: Ammannsmatt

A firm of architects from Baar has designed a pavilion-like annex for a small-roomed former workman's dwelling. An appearance reduced to the essential and generous window fronts lend a touch of the Far East to the extension.

The housing cooperative Ammannsmatt was established in the west of Zug city in 1945. The residential estate comprises around 40 housing units designed for the needs of families and is based on the idea of the garden city. Zug city drew up a development plan for the entire area to ensure the quality of the architecture and external garden areas. At the heart of the estate stands a heterogeneous unit, the eastern half of a semi-detached house. The spatial design of the existing building appears extremely cramped for modern needs and wants. Hence, architects Felber Röck Baggenstos of Baar designed a pavilion-like annex: the basic measurements were specified by the development plan and have increased the floor space by around 60 m².

The annex features all-round glazing and wooden shutters and, on the inside, untreated wood, concrete and jointless Terramano flooring. It forms a stark contrast to the existing, traditionally rendered and brick-clad part of the house. The sliding wooden shutters, equipped with HAWA Frontslide 60 A hardware, form a flexible cloak around the entire building. Light enters the house from three sides when they are open. When they are shut, the house surrounded by water is reminiscent of the Far East.