For one homebuilding couple in a rural setting, being close to nature isn't just an ideal—it's a way of life. Unlike those who view their homes as sanctuaries from the outside world, this futuristic residence opens completely to its surroundings. The property's hillside location and sweeping valley views made their vision clear: expansive glass walls that dissolve the boundary between inside and out—without a single supporting column in sight. This ambitious goal would test both the structural engineers and the glazing manufacturer to their limits.

Designed by Habermann Decker Architects from Lemgo, this two-story hillside home reserves its drama for the upper level, where life truly unfolds. The cubic form appears modest from the entrance, but climbing the stairs reveals an expansive open plan: kitchen, dining, living, workspace, and sleeping quarters flow seamlessly across the entire floor. Only one door—leading to the bathroom—interrupts the flow. Beyond the eight-meter glass front, the landscape becomes an extension of the interior.

Minimalist furnishings amplify this sense of space. Handle-free cabinetry spans three walls in continuous lines, virtually disappearing into the architecture. An anthracite sofa on castors can roll onto the generous glass-railed balcony, while the dual folding glass walls—one with three panels, one with five—fold completely to either side. Sliding doors would have left too much glass obstruction; this solution proved so successful that the couple applied the same concept to their bedroom, where two folding walls meet at a right angle across two sides. The key requirement: no corner posts disrupting the sense of total freedom when the glass simply folds away.

Achieving this required sophisticated structural engineering. The result speaks for itself: slide the glass walls aside, step across the flush threshold onto the terrace—and you're simply out in nature. A slender column at the roof's edge is all that anchors the overhanging flat roof.

Beyond the aesthetics lies pure practicality: the glass walls close in under a minute and provide excellent thermal insulation when needed. Superior sealing keeps warmth inside during cooler months. Come summer, the residents throw it all open anyway—exactly as they envisioned.

www.solarlux.com
www.habermann-decker.de

Photography Credits:

Solarlux

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 02|22)