Kirchplatz Office and Residence by

Oppenheim and Huesler Architekten

Florida-based firm Oppenheim Architecture + Design and Swiss studio Huesler Architekten have created offices for themselves in an eighteenth century building in northern Switzerland and constructed a new house in the garden behind (+ slideshow).

Above: Kirchplatz Office front elevation

Located just outside Basel in Muttenz, the renovated building provides Oppenheim with a European studio and also contains a meeting room for the use of the local community.

Above: Kirchplatz Office architects’ studios

New windows bring extra daylight into the white-washed offices on the upper storeys, which connect to the ground floor with a metal-framed spiral staircase.

Above: Kirchplatz Office architects’ studios

The new timber-clad house is screened behind the existing building and has two storeys above ground as well as one below.

Above: Kirchplatz Office architects’ studios

One side of the house is recessed at the back, creating a terrace that is framed by exposed structural columns.

Above: Kirchplatz Office architects’ studios

Living rooms occupy the ground floor, while bedrooms are located on the floors above and below.

Above: Kirchplatz Office architects’ studios

Other projects we’ve featured by Oppenheim include a series of hotel rooms carved into a cliff face.

Above: Kirchplatz Office architects’ studios

See more projects in Switzerland »

Above: Kirchplatz Office spiral staircase

Photography is by Børje Müller.

Above: Kirchplatz Residence rear facade

Here’s some more text from Oppenheim Architecture + Design:

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Kirchplatz Office/Residence

The design of this adaptive re-use project was born initially out of a design competition initiated by the City of Muttenz/Basel.

Above: Kirchplatz Residence rear facade

The design was based on the renovation of an historic farmhouse situated within the historic center core of the city.

Above: Kirchplatz Residence dining room

The original farmhouse was constructed in 1743.

Above: Kirchplatz Residence dining room

Today the converted farmhouse serves as an office for an architectural design company, provides community meeting space, and serves as a compelling link to a new, adjacent private residence.

Above: Kirchplatz Residence dining room

The new design aimed to provide a fresh interpretation to the existing traditional features of the historic farmhouse building and it’s interior.

Above: Kirchplatz Residence dining room and kitchen

This is achieved by creating new openings for natural daylight and by using a crisp white finish in the interiors, which juxtapose against the texture of the old wood and through the way in which the spaces open up, overlap, and merge together with one another.

Above: Kirchplatz Residence living room

The sustainability considerations included maintaining an energy-efficient building through the use of current MINERGIE (energy efficiency) construction standards, solar roof panels, a sustainable choice of materials such as reclaimed wood used for the facade, and the restoration of existing architectural elements where possible.

Above: Kirchplatz Residence first floor bedroom

The project also included the design of a new single family house adjacent to the adaptively re-used historic farmhouse that was converted into the office.

Above: Kirchplatz Residence first floor study

This elegant contemporary residential structure juxtaposes with the historic building.

Above: Kirchplatz Residence lower ground floor

The new and old share commonalities of materials and colors, yet have distinctly different expressions with the interplay of modern and historic delighting the senses.

Above: Kirchplatz Residence rear facade

The 3-floor house is organized with the master bedroom and guest bedroom on the top floor; the kitchen, dining and living spaces on the ground level; and the children’s bedrooms below ground with a ramped outdoor backyard terrace leading up to the ground level.

Above: Kirchplatz Office front elevation

Scope: Office building renovation 2,992 SF + new single family residence 3,015 SF. Architecture and Interior Design.

Above: Kirchplatz Office side elevation

This is a collaboration with Huesler Architekten

Above: Kirchplatz Office ground floor

Location: Muttenz/Basel, Switzerland

Click above for larger image

Click above for larger image