Where Inside Meets Outside
A fully glazed facade defines its striking presence
This striking structure immediately commands attention. Its elongated form is defined by a fully glazed facade that opens completely toward the garden, visually extending the living space into nature itself. The expansive glass walls make the seasonal rhythms an intimate, lived experience—precisely what the owners envisioned for their new home. Despite its openness to the landscape, the design maintains considerable privacy, thanks to the gently sunken plot surrounded by a 1.40-meter hedge and anchored by mature trees.
Marx Architects designed a compact volume carefully calibrated to the family's spatial needs. Extensive glazing dissolves the boundary between interior and garden, effectively expanding the living space visually into the landscape beyond. The reinforced concrete structure embraces restraint: exposed concrete ceilings, polished screed, and white plaster walls create an understated aesthetic. A lime-cement exterior finish completes the composition. The garden becomes a living canvas that animates the interior palette throughout. This design vocabulary—raw concrete, polished screed in its natural hue, and intentionally unrefined surfaces—echoes through the 112 m² interior like a recurring motif. Room doors in tubular chipboard with steel frames reinforce the minimalist approach. A garden-facing hallway (which also extends to the front façade) orchestrates the flowing sequence of spaces: open-plan living and kitchen lead to a children's room with ensuite bathroom and WC, a study area, and the master suite featuring its own bath, WC, and utility zone. A glass partition to the office integrates seamlessly into this open architectural language.
An air source heat pump powers both underfloor heating and domestic hot water, with buffer storage optimizing efficiency in the bathrooms. Paired with aluminium windows, motorized blinds on the south and west elevations, and a thermally efficient gravel roof finish, the home is built for tomorrow. The owners are thrilled with their new residence—and the palpable sense of unity between interior and exterior that it creates and sustains.
Photography:
Marx Architects
(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 02|25)
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