The client envisioned Bavarian coziness with a contemporary edge for the interior of his newly acquired Munich apartment. Rather than embracing the typical aesthetic of urban living, he wanted something earthier yet still refined and sophisticated – distinctly "different," in other words.

Yet there's no rustic kitsch or farmhouse furniture in sight. Alv Kintscher and his design team—who oversaw both construction and project management—crafted a cohesive interior concept rich in welcoming character. They translated raw natural materials into a decidedly urban, modern vocabulary, pairing vintage elements with contemporary design. Reclaimed wood details and bespoke one-of-a-kind pieces create striking focal points throughout: the living room features tactile surfaces—felt and naturally tanned leather on the walls—paired with an expansive seating landscape in earthy hues and a coffee table fashioned from 10,000-year-old bog oak. A sculptural timber trunk marks the furniture block bridging the living and cooking zones, its interior hollow dramatically illuminated. The kitchen layout deserves special mention. Here, a polygonal kitchen island—cut in a diamond profile that subtly references the client's South African heritage—serves as the room's centerpiece. Its angular geometry is echoed in a custom-designed pendant above the island. Concave slate-clad cabinet fronts add another striking design element.

A sculpted timber base with an oversized cross-section tabletop anchors the party room, creating a bold counterpoint to the opulent kitchenette and its copper cabinetry.

Leather, felt, wood, and exposed brick on the walls establish a grounded, natural aesthetic. Floors, walls, and ceilings are executed in concrete and lime plaster finishes to optimize indoor climate. The central living area features wood flooring and ceilings, reinforcing the sense of warmth and comfort. The bathroom showcases steel, wood, and natural stone as its primary materials. The 300-kilogram washbasin—with raw stone edges—is crafted from Münsinger Kernstein. Glazed partitions and doors flood the spaces with light and reinforce an open, flowing layout. Functionally, the apartment boasts premium finishes, sophisticated lighting design, and high-end audio systems.

www.alvkintscher.de

Photography Credits:

Peter von Felbert
www.felbert.de

(Published in CUBE Munich 01|24)