After purchasing an undeveloped plot of land in the interior of the island of Usedom, the buyers planned to build a very special holiday home on the site. A single holiday on the island was enough to spark the desire to have a place there to which they could return time and again. Once completed, the building resembles a luxury family hotel. Katrin Wäser, a qualified engineer, was brought in as a consultant to the clients; through her many years of work in the region, she has gained extensive experience in dealing with the specific requirements of discerning clients. The village character of the location required new buildings to be in keeping with the typical architectural style of the surroundings. Based on the specifications of the development plan, the engineer developed a design that harmonises the clients’ high standards with a contextual architectural language. The guiding principle was a contemporary interpretation of the country house style of the regional building tradition: a clear structure with a pitched roof and a calm façade design, combined with the use of natural materials, blends naturally into the townscape. The entrance is marked by a generous canopy. Two car garages and a boat garage are also integrated into the front of the house. From the outside, the 40-degree pitched roof gives no hint of what lies beneath. A spacious infinity pool measuring 8.25 x 6 metres sits atop the roof terrace. It features an overflow channel, silent drains and underwater spotlights, as well as a counter-current swimming system. Solar panels assist in heating the water. The villa’s rustic exterior, featuring artificial stone cladding and handcrafted stucco, gives no immediate hint of what lies within. The element of surprise is all the greater the moment one enters the entrance hall and encounters the opulent staircase with its wrought-iron banister and a Florentine chandelier. The smart home system allows the heating, lighting and roller shutters to be controlled remotely via an app. The interior focuses on high-quality, atmospheric materials: rustic reclaimed wood furniture, a wood-burning oven and designer lighting characterise the carefully curated décor. The spacious layout offers each member of the family of five their own private retreat, whilst also providing generous areas for shared living. The spacious wellness area with sauna is also designed so that the whole family can relax there together. The project offered the engineer the opportunity to apply her professional expertise both to the locally appropriate design of the building and to the precise selection of materials and the coordination of the numerous regional trades.

www.waeser.de

Photos:
Imagetown
www.imagetown.de
Uwe Schlüter
www.schlueter-fotodesign.de

(Published in CUBE Berlin 01|26)