A striking architectural renovation in Schaan, Liechtenstein, has transformed a modest 1960s house into a vibrant multi-generational family home. Local studio Dominic Spalt Architektur completed the project, known as Number 7 Bretscha, using bold red steelwork as the defining design element to create separate living spaces for three generations of the same family – parents, children, and a grandmother.
The renovation philosophy centered on "minimal but precise interventions" that respected the existing structure while dramatically enhancing its functionality. Against the home's clean white facade, a dramatic red steel spiral staircase winds up the south side of the property, leading to a balcony framed by scaffolding-like beams and topped with a corrugated iron roof. This eye-catching addition serves both practical and aesthetic purposes.
"The scaffolding in front of the balcony connects the house to the garden," explained Dominic Spalt, founder of Dominic Spalt Architektur. "With its plants, it acts as a green filter for the rooms behind it, while also forming a new garden facade." This integration of architecture and landscape became a central theme throughout the renovation.
To accommodate the multi-generational living arrangement, the studio created two distinct apartments stacked vertically and connected by an internal staircase. The lower-level residential unit, occupied by the grandmother and accessed directly from the garden, required minimal changes. The architects made only subtle adjustments to color accents and added new openings for updated plumbing and mechanical systems.
The upper unit, designed for the parents and their children, underwent more significant modifications. The architects made strategic alterations to the bedroom layouts and removed a dividing wall to create direct bathroom access. These changes improved the flow and functionality of the family's daily living spaces while maintaining the home's original character.
A separate entrance to the upper apartment showcases another bold red steel intervention. A set of striking red steel stairs emerges dramatically from between two large overlapping stones, creating an artistic and functional approach to the shared living areas. This entrance emphasizes the independence of each family unit while maintaining visual cohesion with the overall design.
The renovation's most ambitious transformation occurred in the former attic space, which the architects converted into a large, open-plan living area for the entire family to enjoy together. This shared space includes a modern kitchen, comfortable living room, and an innovative mezzanine level that maximizes the available square footage. Large windows were strategically positioned throughout this area to flood the space with natural light while framing spectacular views of both the carefully preserved garden and the distant Drei Schwestern mountain range.
"One focus was on preserving the garden, and the spatial integration of a forty-year-old tree," said Spalt. "The new living space now opens onto the garden and provides a direct connection to the treetop." This connection between interior and exterior spaces creates a seamless living experience that celebrates the natural setting.
The architects created additional outdoor living space by replacing the pitched roof of an existing single-story extension with a flat roof design. This modification resulted in a functional terrace accessible through a large sliding window from the upstairs living area. A geometric red steel pergola frames this terrace while providing structural support for climbing plants that will eventually create a green canopy over the outdoor space.
"The structure with the gabled roofs was intended as a spatial enclosure for the terrace, which will gradually become overgrown with plants," Spalt explained. This forward-thinking design anticipates how the space will evolve and mature over time as the vegetation grows.
Throughout the interior, the architects employed a simple but sophisticated material palette centered on industrially manufactured plywood panels that line both walls and ceilings. The original flooring was carefully restored, sanded, and sealed with a glossy finish that reflects light and enhances the sense of space. Different plywood finishes help define distinct areas within the open floor plan – pale plywood in the living room creates a bright, airy atmosphere, while darker glazed panels in the kitchen provide visual contrast and practical durability. Teal-glazed plywood in the bathrooms adds unexpected color and personality.
To maximize the functionality of the converted attic space, the architects added a mezzanine level above the main living area. This elevated platform features a semi-circular cut-out that allows natural light to flow between the two levels, particularly where the structure meets the kitchen window. "The mezzanine was conceived as an object in the living space – it divides the room and also provides additional space," Spalt noted. This innovative solution creates distinct zones within the open plan while maintaining visual connections throughout.
The Number 7 Bretscha renovation represents a growing trend in multi-generational housing solutions that address changing family dynamics and economic realities. The project demonstrates how thoughtful architectural intervention can transform existing structures to meet contemporary needs while respecting their original character and environmental context. The bold use of red steel elements creates a unified design language that ties together all the various additions and modifications, proving that striking contemporary design can successfully integrate with mid-century architecture.
