The pre-weathered wood façade of this single-family home evokes the nearby Taunus landscape and sits perfectly within the backyard setting, complemented by neighbouring gardens. Yet nothing about this seemingly modest structure hints at the planning and logistical complexities that geiseler gergull architects had to overcome. The challenge wasn't merely the location—situated in a sunken, overgrown garden that demanded creative solutions. The tight 393 m² plot size added another layer of difficulty: achieving the required setbacks while generating a 2.5-storey structure required careful, thoughtful design.

The clients initially envisioned a flat-roofed house with a roof terrace, not a timber home. "We felt strongly about preserving the character of this neighbourhood," the architects explain. "A white-rendered flat-roof structure simply didn't fit. Our solution—a timber house designed as a comfortable garden pavilion—grew organically from the site itself. And to this day, the clients have never regretted choosing wood." The timber house elegantly demonstrates how wood can articulate a façade with refined restraint. "Just as rendered walls often employ two-colour schemes, we opted for a pattern combining horizontal and vertical grain—creating visual interest without excess."

Modest from the outside—this basement-free structure reveals itself as a spatial marvel within. Flooding the interior are generously proportioned, light-filled rooms that surprise and delight. This stems from two key moves: the strategic placement and positioning of the staircase, and windows positioned to channel natural light from all orientations toward the home's centre. The dramatic 45° pitch of the gable roof enabled the architects to carve out a distinct sleeping plane within the upper-floor bedrooms. Sleeping quarters occupy both the attic and upper floor, each with ensuite bathrooms. On the ground floor and upper bathroom, seamless designer flooring with cement-based screed eliminates joints and visual interruptions, enhancing the sense of openness. The bathroom extends this approach to walls and shower areas with cement surfaces that deliver not only seamless aesthetics but also superior moisture resistance. Solid wood parquet on the two upper levels adds warmth, clarity, and inviting comfort throughout.

While the modest plot size and tree protection regulations—necessitated by mature trees—constrained the garden's design possibilities, the pared-down terrace still achieves something remarkable: a tranquil, restorative oasis nestled in greenery.

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(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 01|21)