Hauptplatz 17
Architectural Overview | Key Features
– South facade: overlooks the main square
– Sandwiched between Hauptplatz 16 and 18
– Saddle roof on the terraced townhouse
– Three storeys; ground floor features shopfronts; upper floors house living spaces
– String course: separates the upper floors
– Roof cornice: projects prominently
– Two flat pilasters: frame the building
– First-floor windows: arranged in five evenly spaced vertical bays
– Second-floor windows: set within rectangular mouldings
– Architectural style influence: 19th-century adaptation of older structural forms
Detailed Architectural Description
Facade Orientation:
South Facade
Introduction
The townhouse at Hauptplatz 17 in Friesach has structural origins dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, though its current appearance reflects 19th-century architectural principles. The building forms part of the continuous historical frontage on the main square. The ground floor accommodates commercial premises, while the upper storeys house residential units.
Architectural Features
Storeys
The south-facing facade is divided into three storeys.
Roof
The two sloping roof planes meet a central ridge to form a saddle roof.
Roofscape
The roofscape of Hauptplatz 17 and 18 is continuous. It is formed by two saddle roofs with similar pitch and height. The roofscape of Hauptplatz 16 and 17 is discontinuous. This is because saddle roof of Hauptplatz 16 is much higher.
Horizontal Articulation
A string course separates the upper floors, providing clear horizontal articulation. A roof cornice projects prominently, visually defining the upper boundary of the facade.
Vertical Articulation
Two flat pilasters positioned at the outer edges frame the building, giving the composition a structured and balanced appearance.
First-Floor Windows
The first-floor windows are arranged in five evenly spaced vertical bays. Below each window, decorative stucco ornaments resembling stylised eyes add a subtle touch of individuality. Above, prominent lintels emphasise the window heads. White stucco surrounds contrast elegantly with the darker wooden frames.
Second-Floor Windows
The second-floor windows are set within rectangular mouldings and finished with flat lintels, lending the upper facade a sense of restraint and balance.
Architectural Style Influence vs Architectural Features
The overall composition reflects a 19th-century adaptation of older structural forms, blending simplicity with restrained ornamentation. The symmetrical layout, horizontal string course, and stucco details embody the stylistic refinement typical of Friesach’s townhouses during this period.
