Building this detached house presented exceptional challenges: the plot was technically unbuildable, extremely steep, and the former vineyard parcel—measuring just 10 x 100 metres—left little room to maneuver. The building envelope itself could accommodate only a 5-metre width. Yet the site's dramatic, elevated position proved an unexpected asset. Beyond the house, a green corridor hosts the garden, where small, unpretentious wooden structures nestle scattered among heritage fruit orchards. Within this row of 1930s homes, the new narrow structure stands out distinctly with its tower-like silhouette rising toward the valley. Lorhmannarchitekt kept the design deliberately simple—allowing the compact form to engage naturally with the landscape's vernacular architecture. Access comes from the uphill side via a heavenly ladder staircase paired with a 60-metre parallel inclined lift, borrowed from viticulture practices. Wood and concrete take centre stage in their raw, unrefined states: rough-cast concrete—left deliberately exposed inside—is wrapped in rough-sawn wooden cladding, with expansive glazing panels integrated flush like inlays. Interior finishes create striking contrast: smoothly polished versions of both materials define the floors, while deliberately rough walls frame the spaces.

The four-level open-plan design creates a flowing spatial experience of surprising generosity. A masonry core houses all service functions while subtly organizing each floor. Intimate alcoves can be closed off with sliding partitions as needed. Each level extends outdoors onto its own terrace. At the entrance level, floor-to-ceiling glazing opens the kitchen and dining zone dramatically to the valley and city beyond. Polished concrete floors and matching stairway lead down to the two basement levels. An open void connects the main living space on the suspended floor above, which in turn opens to a south-facing roof terrace with expansive views. White-oiled, brushed larch wood planks unify both basement levels—including the bathrooms—in a continuous flooring experience. The bathtub on the second basement floats within an apse-like niche, crowned by a skylight. Soaking here, you gaze upward into an ever-shifting play of light, where angled rays sculpt the very character of the space.

www.lohrmannarchitekt.de

Photography Credits:

Susanne Wegener
www.susannewegner.de
lohrmannarchitekt

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 04|22)