A new build near Giessen shows that successful architecture can also be created where most builders or developers see no potential for building a house. In Wißmar, next to a black timber house also planned by architect Gerhard Schymik (project report in CUBE 4/2022), another new building is now rising: a red detached house that stands out from conventional construction methods not only because of its color scheme, but also because of its design.

With this project, the architect and client took the opportunity to create a deliberate counterpoint to the usual property development architecture. The division of the plot and development was only made possible by the architect's friendly relationship with the landowner, who could imagine giving up part of his plot, and the architect, who was able to develop the corresponding ideas for implementation and push them through with the authorities. The red corrugated iron façade is unusual for a residential building, but that is precisely its appeal. This material was deliberately chosen in order to create a curtain wall façade that, in combination with Poroton bricks, does not require any additional thermal insulation and still meets the standards of a low-energy house. The result is a visually striking, durable and low-maintenance shell. A special feature of the design is the detached garage, which is connected to the main house by black pipes. This architectural gesture lends the ensemble a formal unity and creates a visual bridge between the two buildings. The color combination of red and black is of course no coincidence: it runs consistently through the architect's design philosophy and refers to models from modern architectural history. And, according to the architect: "The combination of red and black is very important to me in almost all my buildings."

The house impresses with its unusual floor plan, which is not only oriented towards functional requirements, but also reacts strongly to the surroundings: A spacious terrace, for example, allows an unrestricted view of the greenery. The interior of the house continues the design idea consistently. The large window front facing the terrace reinforces the flowing transition between living space and nature. Materials such as oak for the cladding and iridescent green tiles reflect the surrounding landscape and create a natural connection between inside and outside.

Photos:
Frank Schulte
www.schulte-photography.com

(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 01|25)