Atelierhaus Luftmattstrasse by Brandenberger Kloter – A Compact Residential Atelier Reimagined in Basel

Atelierhaus Luftmattstrasse by Brandenberger Kloter is a refined example of compact residential architecture that transforms a formerly utilitarian plot in Basel’s Gellert district into a carefully crafted living and working environment. Completed in 2022, this 10-square-metre micro-atelier replaces an old garage with a U-shaped perimeter development designed to embrace daylight, enhance privacy, and create a sense of architectural intimacy within a dense urban neighborhood.

Reinterpreting the Site: From Garage to Micro-Residence

The new structure is thoughtfully positioned at the end of the plot, opening in three directions to optimize both natural light and contextual coherence. Its façade is defined by plastered single-leaf brickwork, arranged with a rhythm of regularly positioned windows featuring deep reveals that lend the exterior a sculptural depth. This construction logic not only gives the building a timeless quality but also ties it to the vernacular character of Basel’s residential streetscapes.

Spatial Depth Inspired by Adolf Loos

Drawing from the spatial philosophies of Adolf Loos, the architects organize the home as a sequence of interconnected rooms that vary in ceiling height and functional intensity. These volumes wrap around a central concrete core, functioning as the spatial anchor of the project.

The ground and first floors combine workshop space, an entrance hall, dining area, kitchen, living zone, office, and communal room into a continuous spatial flow. This fluidity blurs the boundaries between working, living, and socializing, creating a dynamic interior that encourages movement and visual connection across two levels.

Material Simplicity and Tactile Craftsmanship

Material choices play a key role in achieving a sense of grounded simplicity. The interior features:

• Exposed concrete ceilings, adding an industrial clarity.
• Felt-brushed lime plaster walls, offering soft texture and diffused light.
• Terrazzo flooring, providing durability and visual refinement.

Together, these materials form a palette that is both minimalistic and warm, contrasting subtly with the spatial complexity of the layout. The result is a harmonious environment where craftsmanship, texture, and light shape the daily experience of the home.

A Micro-Scale Atelier with Expansive Character

Despite its modest footprint, Atelierhaus Luftmattstrasse achieves greater dimensionality through thoughtful orientation, layered space planning, and strategic openings. Its compactness becomes a strength, allowing the architecture to foster multiple relationships with the outdoor environment, integrating light, shadow, and views into its spatial narrative.

Brandenberger Kloter’s design demonstrates how micro-living can be elevated through craftsmanship, smart planning, and an understanding of architectural heritage—creating a space that is intimate yet expansive, minimal yet expressive.

All photographs are works of   Willem Pab