Two Houses and a Courtyard – Mostlikely Architecture

A Dialogue Between Past and Present

Two Houses and a Courtyard by Mostlikely Architecture is a thoughtful residential project in Klosterneuburg, Austria, that blends history with contemporary design. The family-owned site featured a 1950s compact home at the front of a long plot, alongside breathtaking views of the Danube River at the back.

Instead of demolishing the old house, the architects chose adaptive reuse, preserving its character while adding a new residence. The result is a dual-house composition connected by a shared courtyard atrium, creating a spatial dialogue between tradition and modernity.

Architectural Concept

The design inserts a new house behind the existing structure, oriented to maximize openness and natural light. A pergola structure of black metal and wooden slats defines the shorter side, transforming into revolving doors for flexible shading and privacy.

These wooden elements continue across the façade as folding shutters, adding rhythm and dynamism to the building’s minimalist exterior. The constantly shifting appearance of the façade reflects the daily patterns of use and changing light conditions.

Interior Spaces

The ground floor is conceived as a continuous open plan, structured by varying floor levels that follow the slope of the site. This creates distinct yet connected living areas, embodying the concept of “Raumplan” by Adolf Loos, where room heights shift organically to define spatial experience.

The material palette emphasizes raw simplicity—exposed concrete with inlaid board textures on the ceiling, rough wall finishes, and smooth flooring. A circular ceiling cut-out introduces vertical play, with a suspended net creating an unexpected zone for relaxation and interaction.

Landscape and Courtyard Living

Large sliding doors and windows extend the living spaces into the outdoors, linking the central courtyard with the rear garden. A natural swimming pool at the back frames serene views of the Danube, while old trees were preserved to reinforce the home’s integration with its surroundings.

The street-facing shed roof doubles as a carport, balancing functionality with architectural subtlety. Meanwhile, the original 1950s house has been repurposed as a guest house and atelier, maintaining the site’s layered history.

Two Houses and a Courtyard exemplifies how modern residential architecture can embrace the past while shaping the future. Through adaptive reuse, contextual sensitivity, and innovative spatial design, Mostlikely Architecture created a home that is both timeless and contemporary—rooted in its site, yet open to new ways of living.

All Photographs are works of Mostlikely Architecture, Sara Sera