Architects: Lechner & Lechner Architects
Gross Built Area: 226 m²
Year: 2013
Photography: Julian Höck
Lead Architects: Christine Lechner and Horst Josef Lechner
Design Team: Christine Lechner, Horst Josef Lechner, David Fischer, Michael Trixl, Babara Schickermüller, Paul Lechner
Collaborators: Holzform Holzbau GmbH (Timber Construction), Rojek GmbH (Facade Coating – Flexiskin), Denis Gappmaier (Building Physics)
Structural Engineer: Leo Schrittesser
Construction: Josef Kaiser Bau GmbH
City: Salzburg
Country: Austria
Amorph Living Sculpture, a residential project by Lechner & Lechner Architects in Salzburg, Austria, redefines the relationship between architecture and its environment through an organic, sculptural design completed in 2013. The residence strategically aligns with key visual axes, framing views of Leopoldskron Castle, the Leopoldskroner Pond, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and the Untersberg massif. Its dynamic form, composed of offset volumes and thickened window openings, enhances sightlines while maintaining spatial intimacy. Constructed using a timber frame system with CNC-milled elements, the structure is clad in a high-performance insulated façade with a durable polyurea coating, blending seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
The form of the Living Sculpture emerged from the unique characteristics of its site. The plot only touches the Leopoldskroner Weiher at a single point, making it imperative to orient the building in a way that fully incorporates the water into the experience.
Interview with Christine Lechner of Lechner & Lechner Architects
The design of Amorph Living Sculpture by Lechner & Lechner Architects is rooted in the seamless integration of living space with natural and built surroundings. A meticulous analysis of visual axes, based on satellite imagery, guided the spatial composition, aligning key views toward Leopoldskron Castle, the Leopoldskroner Pond, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and the Untersberg massif. This strategic orientation enhances the residence’s connection to its landscape while shaping the experience of movement and perspective within the space.
The architectural form consists of two elongated volumes, subtly offset to create a central void. At the entrance, spatial compression between the ancillary structure and the main volume directs circulation, revealing framed perspectives of the surrounding environment. The base volume opens toward the garden, where a sculptural staircase and a water element reinforce the connection between architecture and nature.
The ground floor is designed to foster an ongoing dialogue between interior space and the landscape. Thickened and contoured window openings selectively frame important views while obscuring less desirable ones. This deliberate composition of apertures creates an intimate yet expansive atmosphere, extending the visual axis toward the private garden, the pond, and the distant mountains.
Outdoor space serves as a transitional element between the residence and its surroundings. A water feature, elevated within the terrain, aligns with the natural pond to establish visual continuity. An external helical staircase adds another layer to the spatial experience, reinforcing the fluid relationship between the built structure and the landscape. Through an interplay of form, materiality, and vegetation, the residence becomes an extension of its environment rather than a separate entity.
The upper level continues this integration, with expansive terraces on both flanks. One terrace engages with panoramic views of the castle, fortress, and pond, while the other offers a more introspective retreat. A continuous circulation path allows fluid movement throughout the house, linking interior and exterior spaces through vertical openings that enhance spatial connectivity.
The residence is constructed using a timber frame system, with CNC-milled wooden elements precisely shaped and clad in wooden panels. High-performance insulation is integrated into the wooden framework, optimizing energy efficiency. The façade is finished with a polyurea coating, a robust material typically used in zoological enclosures, chosen for its durability and organic aesthetic. This selection enhances the structure’s resilience while allowing it to harmonize with the surrounding rural landscape.
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Project Location
Address: Salzburg, Austria
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
