Two-in-One House in Salzburg by Haro Architects: Contemporary Living with a Classic Gabled Roof

Salzburg, Austria, is a city famous for its classical architecture, rich musical heritage and timeless cultural appeal. In a densely built urban neighborhood where large parcels of land have been divided into smaller lots, Haro Architects designed the Two-in-One house to reverse the trend of fragmentation. By combining two adjacent narrow plots into a single, integrated composition, the project creates a striking, elongated gabled building that references the traditional rooflines of the area while presenting a contemporary, gray metallic façade.

Two-in-One house in Salzburg with elongated gabled roof — Contemporary Two-in-One house in Salzburg with an elongated gabled roof

The architectural concept separates private and public functions vertically. A robust concrete plinth at the lower level contains the bedrooms, bathrooms and other private spaces, providing privacy and thermal mass. The upper level houses the public spaces — living room, dining area and kitchen — and benefits from generous glazing. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls on the top floor create a seamless connection to the outside and allow residents to choose between unobstructed panoramic views and full privacy using curtains or sliding screens.

Spacious living area with large gray sectional, wooden floor and white walls — Large gray sectional in the living area with wooden floor and white walls

Because the lot is narrow, the interior and exterior design emphasize visual spaciousness and clarity of form. Linear sightlines, a restrained material palette of white, wood and gray metal, and simple, modern furnishings create a calm, open atmosphere. Natural light floods the upper level, while warm artificial lighting provides a distinct evening ambiance that transforms the façade and interior after sunset.

Large black pendant light above the dining table — Large, oversized pendant in black illuminates the space above the dining table

Open-plan living, dining and kitchen on the upper level — Living area, dining space and kitchen on the upper level of the Two-in-One house

The exterior balances historic cues and contemporary materials. The elongated gabled roof echoes the rhythm of neighboring houses and local typology, while the metallic gray cladding gives the composition a crisp, modern presence. This mix of old and new allows the project to sit comfortably in its context while asserting a distinct identity.

Gray metal exterior of the elongated homes in Salzburg — Metal exterior in gray gives the unique elongated homes in Salzburg a style of their own

Multi-level house sharing a lot with a neighbor — Multi-level home feels elegant and refreshing even as it shares space with its neighbor

A practical walkway on the upper level links the two house volumes, improving circulation between shared outdoor spaces and reinforcing the idea of a single project spanning two lots. The site plan also includes a shared garage and garden area that provide clear separation between the independent dwellings while supporting communal use. Sliding glass doors open the living area to an outdoor deck, extending the usable living space and reinforcing the connection between interior and exterior.

Sliding glass doors separating the living area from the deck — Sliding glass doors separate the living area from the deck outside

Upper-level walkway connecting both houses on the lot — Walkway on the upper level connects both the houses on the lot

The elevated position of the public rooms also offers residents pleasant vistas across the neighborhood and toward the distant Alps, integrating the spectacular regional landscape into daily life. Inside, the white and wood color scheme, contemporary furnishings and carefully calibrated lighting create an atmosphere that is at once modern, warm and intentionally minimal. Draperies and screens allow flexible control of privacy and daylight, ensuring that the generous glazing does not compromise comfort.

[Photography: Oscar Baumgartner]

Warm evening lighting on the house exterior — Warm lighting gives the homes a different visual appeal after sunset

Shared garage and garden area separating the houses — Common garage and garden area creates separation between the two houses

Interior drapes providing privacy and views — Drapes allow occupants to switch between privacy and unobstructed views

Exterior combining gray modernity with classic gable roofs — Exterior combines contemporary gray with classic gable roofs

Concrete plinth at the lower level housing private areas — Large concrete plinth on the lower level contains the private areas of both homes

Haro Architects’ Two-in-One house demonstrates how contemporary materials and thoughtful planning can reinterpret local building traditions. By uniting two narrow lots into a coherent design, the project maximizes usable space, enhances privacy and provides an elevated living experience with strong visual connections to Salzburg’s urban fabric and Alpine surroundings.