Perched on a lakeside plot in Brandenburg, this timber house appears as if it has always belonged to the landscape—so seamlessly does it blend with its surroundings. It's a multi-generational home designed to accommodate nine people: six adults and three children. Driven primarily by ecological concerns, the clients commissioned architect Martin Schmitt from Berlin to realize their vision. The basement-free structure sits on a fair-faced concrete foundation approximately 14 meters long and 13 meters wide, situated on a 2,100 m² plot. The design thoughtfully preserves much of the existing tree population. Both the main residence and adjacent garden pavilion face toward the lake, despite their north-west orientation. The street-facing south-east elevation presents the home's public face.

The house's prismatic form, punctuated by angled roof lines and sloped edges, creates a striking yet compact silhouette. Built using timber frame construction with prefabricated elements, the ventilated façade features flame-treated larch wood slats—an age-old technique that protects against weathering, moisture, mold, and decay. The carbonization process leaves the wood surface nearly black with a silky, velvety texture, lending the home an unmistakably elegant character while eliminating the need for chemical treatments. This aesthetic extends throughout: window frames, external blinds, and metal fixtures are consistently detailed in black. The lakeside ground floor features floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, while the upper level incorporates generous fenestration across its primary elevation. Interior walls and ceilings in circulation areas are crafted from oiled multiplex panels, visibly screwed and fully reusable. Strategically positioned "deep walls" serve dual purposes as storage and seating, minimizing the need for additional furnishings.

The interior layout follows a clear organizational logic: a central hallway spine connects all spaces, with a single-run staircase ascending to the upper floor. The lake-facing ground floor houses the kitchen, dining, and living areas, while three children's bedrooms—painted in soft, calming hues—occupy the opposite side of the hall. This organizational strategy extends to the upper floor, which mirrors the ground plan but can be independently sealed off to function as a separate dwelling unit. Heating relies on a geothermal heat pump system, supplemented by wood-burning stoves in the kitchen and living areas as needed. A planted roof completes the passive climate strategy, maintaining cooler interior temperatures throughout summer months.

www.m2sb.de

Living area: 205 m²
Plot size: 2,100 m²
Construction period: 2018–2020
Building system: Timber frame construction
Energy concept: Heat pump

Photography Credits:

Simon Menges
www.simonmenges.com

(Published in CUBE Berlin 03|22)