Full-Time or Part-Time Living

Finally "A Place of Your Own" in the Countryside

Single-family homes are a rarity in Berlin. After reunification, Berliners finally gained the opportunity to "escape" to the countryside and realize their dream of homeownership. In Wandlitz, for instance, where East German elites once celebrated behind towering walls, land and building permits became available for purchase. Since then, numerous residential buildings and vacation homes have sprouted along the lakeshores surrounding Berlin. Such is the case in Zühlsdorf, near Wandlitz, where architect Patrik Sonntag from Berlin designed a residential building for four residents on just under 100 m². The house is called "Lichten" – a prefabricated bungalow from the East German era previously stood on this site and was dismantled before construction began.

Every detail of the house has been meticulously conceived and tailored to the client's specific needs. The architect and building owners maintained close dialogue throughout every phase of development. Martin Lukasczyk (ortraum architects), a leading expert in solid timber construction, was brought in during the design planning stage. The house was constructed entirely from solid wood elements. During the prefabrication phase, electrical installations were integrated directly into the raw timber walls. Considerable emphasis was placed on the sustainability of building materials and the use of ecological finishes: wood fiber insulation, ecologically pre-weathered larch wood facade, and non-toxic surface treatment of the screed are just a few examples.

The house's distinctive feature, however, is its form: from a distance, it resembles a half-opened jewelry box—the base slab is flat, while the roof is an identical tilted plane sloping backward. This inverted flat roof is supported by wooden posts at the front, with the roof cantilevering far over the operable south-facing windows, allowing occupants to enjoy the wooden terrace even in light rain. When the sliding windows are completely opened, the southern facade stretches nine meters and the interior merges seamlessly with the garden. Originally conceived as a vacation retreat—just a half-hour drive from Berlin—the house is equally well-suited for permanent residence. Two small bedrooms with elevated sleeping platforms, a master suite, a guest bath, and an ensuite complete the generous open living space with integrated kitchen. Guests can even be accommodated on an intermediate mezzanine level. A titanium zinc roof ensures longevity. Wherever possible, built-in furnishings are integrated into the architecture to maximize space efficiency.

Living area: 100 m²
Site area: 900 m²
Construction duration: 9 months
Construction method: Solid timber construction
Energy system: Air-to-water heat pump

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