The hillside plot for this solitary detached house, which forms the prelude to a new development area, offers an impressive view of the Swabian Alb. Architect Bettina Müller-Fauth developed a coherent and sustainable building concept based on the client's desire for a simple, cubic house. The house stretches from east to west across the width of the plot, with the residential building and garage forming a single structure. To the north, the residential building has no visible openings. A floating concrete frame in front of the window front on the second floor protects against prying eyes and allows plenty of daylight into the interior. Vertical wooden slats conceal the entrance area, which is glazed over two storeys to the east and west, and the atrium. The house opens to the south via large windows with anodized aluminium frames. The terraces on the ground and upper floors are cut into the building structure and benefit from the structural sun and privacy protection. A two-storey "big window" in the living room visually connects the interior and the garden with the pool in front. Both levels of the house are designed for open-plan living over 265 m². As you enter the first floor, you look directly onto the two-storey atrium, in which a slender tree grows upwards. The interesting play of light created by the slats and the concrete frame is enhanced by gently shaped pendant lights made of metal mesh. An individually designed shelving element accommodates the wardrobe. Parallel to this, the light-footed staircase with inserted steps runs along the free-standing wall to the upper floor. It opens up to the cooking and dining area, in the center of which is a walnut-clad cube. It houses the WC and the stairs to the basement. The floor-to-ceiling doors are also made of walnut. A large sliding door connects or separates the living room and kitchen, including the dining area. Groceries can be stored quickly, as the utility room is directly connected to the double garage. On the upper floor, the hallway runs the length of the house with a view of the entrance area. A long window to the east accompanies the hallway, bathroom, dressing room and bedroom. On the south side, a sliding louvre element can be used to regulate the views in and out as well as the sunlight. Built monolithically from aerated concrete with a wall thickness of 42.5 centimetres, the house does not require a thermal insulation composite system. The self-sufficient energy concept includes geothermal energy from deep drilling, a solar system with an output of 10 kW, which is used to refuel an electric car and also heat the pool in summer, as well as underfloor heating and natural shading in the form of structural sun protection. 

www.bettina-fauth.de

Photos: 

Jessica Bulling
www.jessicabulling.com

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 01|24)