Mondwiese | Andreas Gruber Architekten

Architecture in Dialogue with Art and Nature

In the midst of a forested enclave, the Projekt Leander rises, created in close collaboration between Andreas Gruber Architects and the artist and client Leander Schwazer. The three-story building combines living and work for three generations and also engages in dialogue with the adjacent agricultural buildings. The ensemble exemplifies the ongoing development of regional building culture — between tradition, landscape, and contemporary expression. The architectural concept is inspired by Brancusi’s “Endless Column.” This idea of vertical continuity translates into a clearly structured mass, symbolizing life and intergenerational connection. The upward-reaching form is held by a protective pitched roof — a symbol of grounding and security. The outer shell of charred wood forms a protective layer that merges with the forest in color and texture. The Shou Sugi Ban technique gives the building a distinctive, changing surface while permanently protecting the material. The main structure was built using ecological brick construction — contributing to sustainability, durability, and regional identity. Due to the high groundwater level, the house rests on a mineral plinth; a basement was omitted in favor of existing peripheral buildings. The collaboration between architect and artist decisively shaped the design process. The design emerged from an open dialogue in which artistic and architectural perspectives were negotiated on equal terms. A symbiosis of art and architecture developed, with both disciplines interlocking. Art was not understood as decoration but as an integral component. Facade design, interior concept, and material selection were developed together so that architecture and art merge into a harmonious whole. This integration gives the house its identity and enables residents to form a deeper connection with their living environment. The multi-generational house follows a clear vertical arrangement: three levels represent the generations, connected by open, communicative interspaces. Community and retreat are carefully balanced. Flexible floor plans allow future adjustments — a house as a living organism. From the outset, embedding in the landscape was central. Topography, vegetation, sun paths, and sightlines were analyzed to position the building optimally. Natural materials, seamless transitions between inside and outside, and the integration of terraces and gardens create a strong connection to the surroundings. The house naturally fits into the ensemble of existing structures and seems to have always been part of this landscape. Projekt Leander unites art, architecture, and nature into a poetic whole. It is a house that embodies both continuity and change, security and openness — a place that shows how architecture, through interdisciplinary collaboration, can find new expressions.