"Living on the Field's Edge" – that was the guiding principle for renovating and expanding this single-family home, which boasts sweeping southern views across the Lower Saxony countryside. The mm architekten team in Hanover began with a 1960s bungalow and, at the clients' request, reoriented the building away from the street while providing privacy from neighboring properties. The architects expanded the existing angular footprint with an additional wing, anchoring both ends with two-story volumes. The resulting U-shaped courtyard functions as a contemporary atrium—a serene, sheltered outdoor room with exceptional livability. White banding unifies old and new into a seamless whole.

To counteract the original low ceiling height, the living area is sunken. A sweeping curved wall integrates shelving and the fireplace while connecting the living room with the kitchen and dining space. The staircase to the home office nestles discreetly behind it. Expansive glass walls frame panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The upper floor houses the family's private quarters, where a freestanding soaking tub in the master bedroom captures views across fields and garden.

The renovation honors the building's existing materials: a clinker brick façade with mineral wool insulation creates a durable envelope. Inside, linoleum and wood establish a warm ambiance and provide tactile contrast to glass and exposed concrete. Preserving and thoughtfully extending the existing structure is inherently sustainable. Strategic interventions enhance the entire fabric while future-proofing the home. The integration of landscape and nature with the newly created spaces promotes health and wellbeing. The original heating system was upgraded, while new insulation and triple-glazed windows minimize energy consumption. Rainwater is naturally dispersed through bioswales on the property.

www.mm-architekten.de

Photography Credits:

Thomas Drexel

(From CUBE Hamburg 03|22)