The genuine warmth of wood

Project Elle

In Elle, a hamlet in the municipality of San Lorenzo di Sebato at about 1,300 meters above sea level, a house tells a story of deep roots, authentic wood, and breathtaking landscapes. Overlooking the stunning Val Pusteria, a Rubner Haus semi-detached home blends harmoniously into nature, offering two living units of approximately 110 m² each.

The owners are tradition-bound people closely connected to the land; one of them, Oskar, is a carpenter and he sees wood not just as a material, but as part of daily life – a heritage to be passed down to his children. It is no surprise, then, that the house was built using solid wood, with visible robust boards that tell a story of authenticity in every fiber.

Designed by architects Forer Unterpertinger of Brunico, the home represents a perfect combination of tradition and innovation. The building, developed over two floors per unit, features a facade clad in local larch wood, chosen not only for its natural beauty but also for its resistance to harsh mountain weather conditions.

Building this house presented significant technical challenges: it stands on an intricately sloped plot, and access, via a narrow mountain road, was particularly difficult. Thanks to Rubner’s expertise and the on-site assembly of the Blockhaus system, every obstacle was successfully overcome, fully respecting the project’s timing and quality standards.