Grounded Elegance
An angular bungalow set on a raised base, its courtyards form a sheltered garden sanctuary
Nestled in a verdant suburb among towering pine trees, this family home sits on a generous plot that brings the dream of green living to life—complete with space for children and dogs. From the street, it presents itself as a classic, single-storey bungalow that feels at home in its surroundings. Yet turn toward the garden, and the home reveals its true character: a generous, open expanse.
The clients envisioned a home with the traditional layout of a family residence—featuring a generous study and guest room—all on one floor with seamless garden access. The architects at baurmann.dürr faced two significant constraints: a 1960s zoning ordinance requiring green space in the front garden, and a dramatic change in elevation across the site, with the garden sitting an entire story below street level. Their answer was elegant: an angular, single-storey structure organized around protected courtyards, creating a classical sanctuary where living, dining, and sleeping areas naturally gravitate toward the garden. A crisp white plaster volume sits atop a base of warm brown clinker brick—visually grounded and purposefully exploiting the slope to tuck the study and guest quarters below. This layered composition—angular form, terraced base, and strategically set-back garage—generates a rich sequence of outdoor experiences: an entry courtyard, an expansive main garden, a private recessed court, and an intimate breakfast terrace. Each courtyard functions as a threshold, creating gentle transitions between interior and exterior. The entry courtyard acts as an airlock between the street and front door, respecting the zoning mandate. The deep courtyard illuminates and serves the guest rooms, while two external staircases link the living level to the lower garden. Long exterior walls terrace the sloping site and anchor the stairs. Inside, the layout follows classical proportions: an open living-dining zone flows into a sleeping area anchored by a sculptural wooden wardrobe cube that serves as a circulation hub. Sustainability informed every decision. A heat pump manages both heating and summer cooling, rooftop solar panels pair with basement battery storage, making the house virtually energy self-sufficient.
Photography:
Swen Carlin
www.swencarlin.com
(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 04|25)
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