Studio Carraldo's backdirwas_5 Community Oven Blends Alpine Traditions with Modern Materials

During the Medienfrische festival, Studio Carraldo has unveiled backdirwas_5, a communal oven situated in Boden, Austria. This initiative modernizes local Alpine construction methods, utilizing a blend of concrete, timber, firebrick, and stainless steel. Its name, which means 'bake yourself something,' signifies its role as a gathering spot for both community members and resident artists. The oven is anchored on a concrete foundation formed from round timber logs obtained from nearby forests, echoing traditional log construction seen in local farmhouses. The dome-shaped combustion chamber, built from refractory firebricks, efficiently retains and radiates heat. Surrounding the chamber is a sculptural stainless steel exterior featuring large panels that reinterpret classic Alpine wooden shingles, interconnected through a unique system. The design team comprises Valentin Fick, Franka Ruhnau, and David Zauels. Studio Carraldo provided photography, with editing by Jonas Zauels, and the project was submitted through designboom's DIY submissions, edited by Christina Vergopoulou.