Lime and Timber House
A warm and natural architectural body with smooth details becomes a new home for a family of four and a dog. The Lime and Timber House has been developed by GAISS since 2020: a timber frame structure filled with cellulose insulation and finished with lime plaster inside and out.
A simple, linear volume with a symmetrical rhythm of windows and a cubic composition sits in a garden of birch trees. The solid yet laconic overhanging roof unites the garage, house, and garden terrace volumes. The ground floor facade is covered with timber cladding, while the upper level is rendered in lime plaster. Curved roof terraces and handrails slightly introduce relaxed forms for rest.
We believe that the entrance always plays an essential part in the experience of a building. Whether arriving by car or on foot, residents will pass the space between the garage and the house beneath the connecting roof. They will see the large window and enter the house through a bespoke door clad in facade boards. The final touch here is a tiny detail: a curved steel plate emphasizing the door handle.
Upon entering the house, the concrete floor unifies the spaces on the ground floor into one spacious living area. A large window overlooks the garden with birch trees and connects to the terrace. All the walls are covered in slightly rough lime plaster in warm tones, providing a perfect yet imperfect tactile experience and a pleasant atmosphere for living.
The stairs become the central feature — a wooden structure connecting both floors, completed with solid veneered handrails and steps. The double-height space culminates in a skylight, allowing light to flow to the ground floor.
Lime and Timber House has been designed according to a robust energy strategy. The main volume is a simple, compact cuboid. Unheated service spaces (such as the garage and terrace) contribute to a more diversified spatial character.The majority of windows open towards the south to benefit from solar heat gains. Meanwhile, an overhang on the ground floor and window awnings on the 1st floor protect from overheating.
