The latest and previously unreleased project from Jan Rösler's design studio stands in Kladow, a district of Spandau perched on a high plateau overlooking Lake Groß Glienicker. The architect describes his design philosophy as "Swiss"—shaped by his time studying under Ute Frank at the Technical University of Berlin. Rösler and his team specialize in conversions and new builds where resourceful material stewardship and sustainable building principles are equally paramount. This family home, designed for parents and two children, speaks the same restrained visual language—though restraint here should never be mistaken for coldness. Quite the opposite: these unembellished structures possess a quiet, compelling presence. The floor plan emerged organically from the site's specific conditions: the sloping terrain, panoramic lake views, and modest footprint of just under 600 m² all informed the design. The architects conceived a cross-shaped volume with deliberate asymmetry—one wing shorter than the other. From street level, this reads as a tall central volume flanked by two lower pavilions. The gentle slope of the land made room for a habitable basement and upper floor in the center, while the flanking wings contain only ground-level spaces. At the building's heart sits a black-linoleum-clad core that organizes the surrounding rooms, accommodates a bathroom, and doubles as the stairwell connecting upper and lower levels. Living and dining occupy the ground floor, arranged in an L-configuration with full-height glazed sliding doors that dissolve the boundary between interior and a generous terrace beyond. The façade—wrapped in black lime plaster—sheathes the structure like a second skin. Throughout, Rösler prioritizes meticulous execution and natural materials wherever feasible, reflecting a deliberate commitment to resource consciousness. At Haus K, for instance, white clay was chosen to finish all interior walls.

www.janroesler.de

Photography Credits:

Simon Menges
simonmenges.com

(Published in CUBE Berlin 01|21)