This residence bears a distinguished name: the "Southern Star." Why? We're not entirely sure. Perhaps it's named for its location in southern Regensburg. What we do know is that it earned the public's vote as Favourite of the Year in 2018.

Fabi Architects—the Regensburg-based practice of Nina and Peter Fabi—designed and built it. At first glance, the style stands out: what the architects call "rural modernism." Grey-brown smooth plaster meets larch wood cladding on both gable ends, the wooden battens framed in hot-dip galvanised steel, and a traditional gabled roof clad in red tiles rather than a flat roof. It's solid brick masonry, yet distinctly experimental. The architects leverage the slope of the hillside plot, allowing the house to cantilever dramatically over the basement shell below. On the narrow northern elevation sits the semi-recessed garage entrance, accommodating two to three vehicles. A striking detail: a full-height frameless glazed panel cuts through the timber façade on the north face, creating a bold vertical accent.

The building stands unobstructed on three sides, embraced by meadows and open countryside. A gently sloping ramp provides barrier-free access to the eastern entrance, while the garden façade faces west—by design. From here, you're treated to sweeping views across the landscape and toward the Danube Valley. A distinctive feature addresses the frequent west winds: a glazed loggia, cut into the façade like a sheltered nook. On the ground floor, it offers a windbreaks spot for sitting; on the upper level, it sits before the bathroom and sauna, functioning as a sheltered outdoor room. This two-storey glazed element floods the interior with daylight, while a floor-level window brings light to the basement below.

Each project from the Fabi studio evolves organically—crafted to its setting and shaped by the client's vision and needs. The starting point is always the same question: What should this house feel like? Here, the concept crystallized gradually around an interior sauna paired with a generous loggia, which ultimately defined the entire design. A slender cantilevered staircase leads to this wellness zone anchoring the upper floor. The master bedroom, with its expansive sliding window, faces south; the two children's rooms occupy the opposite side.

Inside, the rich material palette continues. Oak was chosen for the rustic built-ins and flooring, contrasted with black cabinetry and concrete-grey tiles. A generous bench flows from the dining area into the living zone, anchoring the space. A bay window frames the landscape beyond, offering a sweeping view even on grey days. A study finds room on the ground floor. Every built-in throughout the house—from cabinetry to joinery—was designed by Fabi Architects.

Living space: 230 m²
Plot size: 780 m²
Construction period: 11/2016–8/2017
Construction method: Brick masonry
Energy concept: Gas condensing boiler with solar thermal system

www.fabi-architekten.de

(Published in CUBE Munich 01|20)