When people think of solid construction homes, stone or concrete typically comes to mind. Yet one of the world's oldest building materials – wood – is equally outstanding for creating solid, lasting structures. This approach often proves more economical, fosters superior indoor climate control, and aligns with sustainable building practices. This was precisely the path chosen for a four-person family home near Ingelheim, built to KfW55 standards. Interestingly, the homeowners had originally envisioned a conventional solid construction house.

Yet as planning evolved, sustainability became the defining principle – from material selection and dismantlability to meticulous volumetric calculations. The result: the completed home achieved its original floor area while using approximately 7 percent less material, translating to meaningful resource and cost savings. Walls, ceilings, roofing, and floors are entirely timber-based, with soft wood fiber composing all insulation layers. Natural red was selected for the unglazed roof tiles, while windows and entrance elements showcase oiled larch wood inside and out. The roof interior features clay building boards finished in clay paint, creating an exceptionally comfortable indoor environment when paired with the timber walls. The façade showcases light-colored mineral plaster. True to the principle that form follows function, the ground floor's straightforward layout naturally orientates toward the garden's southwest exposure. Through the entry vestibule – thoughtfully housing a guest WC, storage, and garage access – you enter the expansive, naturally lit living area. Nearly full-height glazing seamlessly dissolves the boundary between interior and exterior. Strategically positioned windows flood the space with daylight while maintaining essential privacy from without. A timber staircase ascends to three private bedrooms and the main bath upstairs. Crafted from cross-laminated timber offcuts generated during door and window production, it represents sustainable design made tangible.

The garden accommodates both a generous terrace and the heat pump with ground-source collector. The wood construction method empowered these skilled homeowners to handle extensive work themselves – from exterior rendering and insulation through to flooring, staircase installation, plumbing, and electrical systems. They further designed the entire outdoor landscape and managed the excavation for the ground collector.

www.marcflick.de

Photography:
David Schreyer
www.schreyerdavid.com

(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 02|24)