A young couple sought a modern home in a rural, mixed-character setting—one that balanced contemporary minimalism with genuine integration into its landscape. Endemann Architects translated this vision into reality through close collaboration with the clients. The result is a KfW Efficiency House 55 powered by a heat pump. The design had to overcome significant hurdles: a steep slope and challenging soil conditions, compounded by a lot that required setback positioning from the street.

The base level announces itself with a subtle offset and fiber cement panels, while the upper structure breathes through a carefully detailed larch wood facade—a ventilated, open-form cladding that pulls the eye upward. Roof drainage disappears seamlessly into the facade. The asymmetrical pitched roof defines the building's distinctive silhouette. Wood-aluminum hybrid windows in pearl beige—matching the entry door and letterbox—were strategically positioned to flood interiors with natural light while preserving street-level privacy. The kitchen's expansive glazing captures the church tower; northward windows frame the former town hall.

Across 150 m² of living space, the floor plan unfolds intuitively: entry level houses garage and ancillary functions; the partially earth-sheltered ground floor contains two bedrooms and guest bath; an open, loft-like upper floor flows toward the south-facing garden; the attic tier provides a generous master suite. A sculptural single-run staircase of raw concrete anchors the center, linking all levels while creating visual dialogue and room division. Those visible concrete surfaces are deliberately untamed—celebrating the material's inherent texture rather than pursuing perfect finish—and they engage beautifully in contrast with white walls and herringbone oak flooring. The bathrooms feature oversized terrazzo tiles.

www.endemann-architekten.de

Photography Credits:

Oliver Rieger
www.oliverrieger.com

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 04|22)