If you want to know how architects work and what style they follow, you usually take a look at their buildings. But be careful, they mainly reflect how the client's wishes were implemented. And that's how it should be. But how do architects build for themselves? Above all, they implement their own ideas and wishes without compromise. Architect Markus Kuth demonstrates this with the house he planned for himself and his family. He had spent a long time looking for the right plot of land on which he could implement his ideas without any restrictions. A further full storey and a staggered storey sit on top of the expansive first floor. Outdoor areas on each level complement the living space and extend the views.

The first floor, whose living space is flanked by a carport and garage, spans the entire width of the property. Integrating both into the façade was one of the architect's main concerns. Flush façade panels cover the garage door, revealing the driveway only through the vertical shadow gaps. A lively façade design emphasizes the openness not only of the living space, but of the entire house. Skillful staging of visual references takes precedence over screening, as demonstrated by the floor-to-ceiling windows on the first floor. Anthracite-coloured window profiles emphasize the glass surfaces of the façade, which shines in white felt plaster and recedes into generous open spaces. Cut-outs, marked with gray façade panels, leave room for terraces and bring the outside space into the house. Conversely, nothing protrudes from the façade; even the venetian blind boxes are invisibly flush-mounted. It is not only the blinds themselves that are concealed, but also their operation. Equipped with smart home functions, the garage door, external venetian blinds and lighting can be controlled on the move.

The stylistic device of reduced color and material selection is repeated in the interior. The warm golden tone of the rustic oak accentuates the white and gray of the walls and fixtures. This is laid as parquet flooring throughout the living area except for the bathrooms, but is also found on the steps, the kitchen counter and the wardrobe. Despite the obvious solidity of this family home, the connection between outside and inside runs in all directions. The upper floor spans the outdoor seating area without supports. A walk-on glass surface not only creates a visual axis to the terrace above, but also extends the view into the sky.

www.architekt-kuth.de

Photos:

Stefan Martine
www.foto-martine.de

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 04|21)