This expansive villa, designed in a cubic architectural language, occupies a tranquil setting within an established single-family residential neighborhood on the outskirts of a wooded area in the Hamburg region. The design by Nico Esfandiary, principal architect from the Lüneburg-based firm Esfandiary Möller Architekten, thoughtfully responds to the distinctive site qualities near the forest boundary and respects the existing mature trees. Due to the wooded location, the client's initial preference for white plaster cladding was reconsidered. After extensive material sampling, the choice fell upon a light-colored waterstriked brick in thin format. Combined with bronze-anodized aluminum windows and attic crownings, the façade develops a distinctive character all its own.

Although the architect arranged the ground floor living, cooking, and dining areas in a flowing, open spatial sequence, each functional zone remains clearly defined. The double-height void serves as the central pivotal point between the kitchen with adjoining dining area and the living room. The fireplace is experienced from both the dining and living spaces. The upper floor, designed as a split level, features a gallery overlooking this void. Large-scale fixed glazing on the upper floor and ground-level windows—predominantly floor-to-ceiling and wrapping around corners—flood all areas adjacent to the double-height space with natural light. This also creates compelling visual connections to the canopies of surrounding trees, allowing residents to intimately experience nature and seasonal changes. The villa opens generously toward the south and west through its forecourt terrace, accessing the garden and woodland edge. The private rooms occupy the upper split level, each with direct access to an expansive roof terrace enclosed by frameless glazed railings.

Central to both architect and clients was the use of high-quality, durable materials and a cohesive, holistic color concept throughout the interior and exterior. The living areas on the ground floor and all bathrooms feature large-format tile flooring. The upper floor is finished with dark oil-stained oak parquet. The villa is equipped with sophisticated building systems. Beyond a controlled ventilation system and climate control, an intelligent bus system was implemented. Heating is provided by an air-water heat pump. The swimming pool concept—later complemented by a whirlpool—emerged during the landscape design phase.

www.em-architekten.de

Photography Credits:

Thorsten Scherz
www.thorstenscherz.de

(Featured in CUBE Hamburg 01|22)