Modern house with thatched roof and wooden slatted facade, large sliding glass doors, wooden deck, garden with wildflowers, and gravel path.

A modern house with a thatched roof and wooden slatted facade, featuring large sliding glass doors opening to a wooden deck. The house is surrounded by a garden with wildflowers and a gravel path.

Story

An innovative exploration of thatched roofing in modern architecture In the tranquil setting of Weiden am See, Austria, Gilbert Berthold has crafted a residence that reimagines the traditional thatched roof. Commissioned by Jacobus van Hoorne, the project serves both as a family home and a showcase for the potential of reed as a building material. The design is rooted in sustainability, utilizing wood and other eco-friendly materials, with minimal site disturbance. The house is organized around a central, light-filled atrium, which is a two-story space that invites the outdoors in through expansive sliding windows. This atrium is flanked by two functional blocks and is strategically rotated to capture the southeastern light, enhancing the connection to the northern garden. The S-shaped floor plan maximizes the plot's potential, with terraces extending the living space to both the street and garden. The roof, a collaboration with a skilled thatched roofing craftsman, features a unique geometry supported by wooden frame walls. Its design extends the lifespan of the thatch. Clad in locally sourced reed, the roof's form is complemented by an untreated oak facade, creating a harmonious blend with the environment.

Design Highlights

Innovative thatched roof with a unique geometry Central atrium with large sliding windows S-shaped floor plan optimizing light and space Use of sustainable materials like wood and reed Integration with the surrounding landscape

Key Facts

Detail Description
Location Weiden am See, Burgenland, Austria
Year 2018 – 2022
Size 205 m²
Client Jacobus van Hoorne / Marina Rosa
Structural Engineer Holzbau Kast GmbH

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • roof: Thatched roof made from locally sourced reed.
  • facade: Untreated oak wood facade.
  • interior: Wooden ceiling with exposed beams.

Materials

  • reed — Roof thatching.
  • wood — Structural elements and facade cladding.
  • glass — Sliding windows and doors.

Construction / Systems

  • roof structure: Supported by wooden frame walls with parallel wooden rafters spaced 90 cm apart.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Not specified
  • Lighting: Natural lighting through large sliding windows.

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