The clients envisioned a residential ensemble comprising two separate units—one that reads as two distinct single-family homes rather than a conventional semi-detached house. Yet the development plan demanded they be perceived as a unified composition from the street. The solution: positioning one of two double garages centrally between the residences. This move created an internal courtyard on the garden side that provides clear separation between the units, while from the street, the buildings and garages unite into a harmonious whole. The result is distinctly sculptural—a form that seems to melt into the landscape. By leveraging the sloping terrain, the architects introduced natural light to the basement's southern exposure, creating what Tobias Schmidt of WSM Architekten describes as the project's defining gesture: "a double, reclining sphinx." The inward-facing façades remain restrained to maximize privacy, while the side and front elevations open generously toward the landscape. Upper-floor residents enjoy sweeping views of Lake Starnberg through expansive windows. The roofline presented another design challenge: the brief called for a flat-roof aesthetic, yet the code permitted only gabled or tent roofs. The solution was a shallow-pitched tent roof, set back and topped with a parapet—delivering the desired visual effect while meeting regulations. Construction employs high-performance solid brick combined with two air-to-water heat pumps, achieving KfW 40 certification and minimal operational energy demand. The overhanging attic acts as passive solar shading, reducing summer heat gain while preserving the bright, transparent character of the living spaces below. A projecting plinth at grade level ensures seamless access to the naturally lit basement rooms.

This project marries contemporary design with sustainable materials and cutting-edge technologies. The standout element: a recessed tent roof with a flush-mounted photovoltaic array integrated seamlessly into the roof membrane—a feature that balances energy performance with a bold architectural statement. Premium materials, motorized roller shades, and frameless glazing elevate both comfort and visual refinement. Sustainability wasn't an afterthought; it's woven throughout the design, proving that responsible building and sophisticated architecture need not compete. The result—christened the "Villa Ensemble"—achieves exactly that: a confident marriage of aesthetics and function, where innovative energy strategies and contemporary form language speak as one.

www.wsm-architekten.com

Photography:
Jonathan Sage
www.jonathansage.de

(Published in CUBE Munich 01|25)