A detached house with a clinker brick façade and gabled roof – for many people, this sounds like rural dreariness and architectural boredom. In fact, Dortmund architect Markus Kirschnick shows with his "quirky" design that there is another way.

On a 510 m² leasehold plot in the sought-after south of Dortmund, a house has been built that playfully contrasts classic and traditional elements with a modern interplay of forms and careful lightness. On the one hand, there is a strict, reduced materiality and a sharply cut roof without overhang; on the other hand, there is a slightly playful form with recesses, asymmetrical gables, a roof structure flush with the façade and seemingly disordered windows – the building offers viewers surprising perspectives.

The layout of the 230 m² living space is classic: the living rooms, a guest WC, a large utility room and the garage are located on the ground floor. The owners placed particular emphasis on a large kitchen-diner with its own dining area. From here, there is a good view of the driveway and the garden. The west-facing living room extends across the entire depth of the building and is complemented by a large, covered terrace area. The upper floor houses the private rooms such as bedrooms and children's rooms, as well as a large family bathroom. Due to the asymmetrical roof, the south-facing rooms here have no sloping ceilings and can be used to their full height. The large attic offers additional storage space as a substitute for a basement. All rooms are bright and friendly. Almost all windows in the house are floor-to-ceiling. The living and private rooms are dominated by white plaster surfaces, oiled oak floorboards and stylish yet colourful and family-friendly furnishings.

The exterior appearance is largely determined by the clinker bricks used, which create a lively façade thanks to their special sorting and colouring. The building appears unusual and yet natural within the new development area due to its minimalist materials and design. Technically, the house is equipped with a modern gas condensing boiler with hybrid technology and supporting high-performance flat-plate collectors.

www.kirschnick-architektur.de

Photos:
Markus Kirschnick

(From CUBE Ruhrgebiet 03|21)