House extension with stepping stones leading inside by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten
Swiss firm Haberstroh Schneider Architekten has extended a house in Basel by adding a chain of three rooms, creating a new semi-enclosed courtyard that is filled with stepping stones (+ slideshow).
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_8sq.jpg)
Haberstroh Schneider Architekten removed a number of previous extensions to reduce Haus von Arx to its original size, before adding the new volumes to the western edge of the building to provide a home office and library.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_7sq.jpg)
The architects designed the courtyard and stepping stones to allow the family to move between the existing house and the extension.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_13.jpg)
"We wanted this area, as small as it is, to be a space for contemplation, where movements slow down and one is not able to rush through," they told Dezeen.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_12.jpg)
A sheltered porch creates a separate entrance for the extension, leading through to a library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and then on into the small office.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_9.jpg)
The architects also added a guest bedroom and bathroom above the house's existing garage, as well as a new swimming pool and pavilion on the east side of the building.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_22.jpg)
The exterior of the extensions is finished in white render, contrasting with the grainy grey-painted facade of the main house.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_21.jpg)
Existing living rooms and bedrooms were left to their original layout, but a curving staircase with iron balustrades was painted in a deep shade of green.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_15.jpg)
"We wanted to enhance the very elegant stairs so we decided to paint them a dark green that, besides contrasting with the rest of the house, is a colour used traditionally on the interior of historical, wealthy and important houses," added the architects.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_14.jpg)
Photography is by Fernando Guerra.
Here's a project description from the architects:
Haus von Arx
The former building - originally built in 1951 - had been extended, converted and renovated several times over the past years. As a consequence, it presented itself as an accumulation of heterogeneous rooms and styles.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_19.jpg)
In discussions with the new owner we developed the idea of reducing the building to both its original size and primary qualities.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_20.jpg)
The dismantling of all the old additional elements called for a controlled addition of new expansions.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_3.jpg)
These new volumes were clustered at the western side of the plot, touching the old building only in one place.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_6.jpg)
While the old building had been freed from any disturbing elements and thus restored to its classic elegance, the new cubes present a composition of simple and plastically reduced volumes.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_4.jpg)
The cubes, according to their different position, spacing and size, create fascinating passageway- and patio-situations with the old building.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_5.jpg)
To the south-western side of the plot we removed the former winter garden. In its place we constructed a generous, open garden pavilion which works well as mediating element between old building, pool area and the garden.
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_1.jpg)
Architects: Haberstroh Schneider Architekten, Basel
Planners: Proplaning AG, Basel Schnetzer Puskas Ingenieure AG, Basel ProEngineering AG, Basel Stokar + Partner AG, Basel Locher, Schwittay Gebäudetechnik GmbH, Basel August + Margrith Künzel Landschaftsarchitekten AG, Binningen
Place: Binningen BL, Schweiz
Year of construction: 2012
![Ground floor plan of Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_23.gif)
![First floor plan of Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_24.gif)
![Section one of Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_25.gif)
![Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_26.gif)
![Section three of Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_27.gif)
![Section four of Haus von Arx by Haberstroh Schneider Architekten](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2013/12/Haus-von-Arx-by-Haberstroh-Schneider-Architekten_dezeen_28.gif)