"This is neither a forest nor a park—it is an enchanted garden, pure and simple," Thomas Mann wrote in 1919, describing Herzogpark in his novella "Herr und Hund." Over a century later, that characterization no longer holds. In the 1950s, a garden city development emerged in the park's northern section, where homes appear almost as if placed within a landscape. Today, those mid-century structures define this distinctive neighbourhood.

Munich-based architects Harder Groh recently completed a new end-terrace house in this quarter—a project defined by rigorous building codes. As architect Philipp Groh explains, the design had to respect strict parameters: storey height, roof pitch, and floor area ratios. The challenge was to create a four-person home that harmonized with the neighbouring 1960s buildings while feeling contemporary. The result: a modern, open-plan residence that meets all requirements. Built in solid masonry with grey mineral plaster, it integrates seamlessly into its surroundings. On the north side, the adjacent garage courtyard enabled a generously scaled entrance, distinguished by slender vertical steel fins that add visual sophistication. The real test came next: fitting all the family's spatial needs onto a modest plot. The architects rose to the occasion by expanding across four levels, including a basement. The payoff? Step inside and you're struck by unexpected spaciousness. Double-height voids create dynamic sightlines and link distinct zones vertically, while expansive south-facing windows blur the boundary between interior and the verdant garden beyond.

www.hardergroh.de

Photography Credits:

Susan Buth
www.susanbuth.com

(Published in CUBE Munich 03|23)