Facing the street, this home presents itself as a classic, understated bungalow. Yet from the valley side, on its sloping terrain, it reveals itself as a confident two-storey structure with boldly contemporary, stripped-back lines. The uniform plaster façade, punctuated by subtle colour accents, reinforces its cubic form. gross und herbst architects have seamlessly anchored the building into the slope while employing gentle terracing to divide the garden into usable flat areas—maximising the potential of the sloping site.

Expansive glazed surfaces flood the living area with commanding views across the surrounding landscape. The open-plan design allows the kitchen, dining, living spaces, and roof terrace to flow naturally together, blending indoors with outdoors. The Aschaffenburg-based practice has masterfully woven the client's requested office seamlessly into the living level, creating a unified work-and-live environment. More intimate rooms, including a separate guest apartment, occupy the lower floor with direct garden access.

The interior design reinforces the restrained aesthetic: predominantly white walls serve as a gallery for furnishings and décor, making spaces feel even more generous. Light surfaces bounce illumination throughout, creating an airy quality, while the open kitchen's dark tones deliver a striking counterpoint. Warm wood-toned flooring unites the spaces while establishing an inviting ambiance throughout.

To achieve an ecologically responsible new build, the architects integrated sustainable technologies including energy-efficient heating and cooling systems—heat pump, underfloor heating, and mechanical ventilation. Load-bearing walls are constructed from clay brick, a natural, renewable material. The owners played an active role throughout construction to realise their vision of a genuinely comfortable home: notably with custom KNX building automation that elevates the living experience to a distinctly modern, sophisticated level.

www.gross-herbst.de

Photography Credits:

gross und herbst architects

(Featured in CUBE Frankfurt 04|23)