Do architects design differently when planning a house for themselves? Probably yes, since they can finally pursue their own preferences without restriction. Yet even they cannot simply build freely once a property is acquired. The numerous regulations that must be observed often present significant challenges for developers and planners alike—as illustrated by this project from architects Niebler and Thormann in Donauwörth. A wonderful property near Augsburg in a woodland setting, just under 1,000 m² in size, was to accommodate a relatively modest home of roughly 100 m² of living space. The requirements were extensive: The development plan stipulated that the building footprint could not exceed 68 m² and the gable roof pitch was limited to just 25 degrees. The roof ridge orientation was also predetermined. Additionally, the narrow, elongated plot on a gentle slope allowed only a centered building placement. From all these constraints, the architect developed her dream home, which she affectionately calls the "little black dress." Ultimately, all these limitations proved to be advantages. "A generous residential home was created within minimal space, combining the benefits of a single-family house with garden and the manageable scale of an apartment," describes Kirsten Thormann. A complete glass façade facing the garden extends the living space into nature. This creates the impression of significantly more generous living space on the ground floor, further enhanced by the open floor plan. Here, the kitchen, dining area, and living room are located. An open staircase along the wall leads to the gallery with bedroom and bathtub. In close coordination with the tradespeople and structural engineer, floor plans were refined, built-ins were custom-fitted, and materials were selected. Doors were largely eliminated in favor of floor-to-ceiling sliding elements. On the lower level, these simultaneously serve as spatial separation from the staircase while also concealing built-in wardrobes for the bathroom and guest room. Oak parquet flooring is laid throughout all three levels. The preference for in-situ concrete and the structural requirement for the column-free glass gable determined the concrete foundation of the entire house. All exterior walls and the roof surfaces, inclined at 25 degrees, were cast in place as exposed concrete. To make the small house's archetypal form visible from the outside, both roof and façade surfaces are consistently finished flush with a dark blue Eternit double-layer cladding. Heating in winter is provided by a pellet system, and on sunny days, 16 m² of solar collectors on the roof supply additional hot water.

www.nt-architekten.de

Photography Credits:

Eckhart Matthäus
www.em-foto.de

(Published in CUBE Munich 02|22)