Two narrow building plots emerged from subdividing a typical elongated corridor lot in a post-war housing development at the edge of Töging. On the western half of the site rises a striking house that, like a contemporary barn reinterpreted, is entirely enveloped in rough-sawn larch wood slats.

Robert Maier Architects of Neuötting designed the project to respond to the plot's distinctive shape while embracing wood—a material deeply rooted in Upper Bavarian tradition—as the primary building envelope. During construction, temporary dual access was necessary until the western road was completed, yet the architects planned ahead for the final configuration, positioning the garage to the west. From the garage, a long, narrow corridor leads to the centrally placed northern entrance. This layout creates three distinct zones: the house, garden, and garage with an attached sauna to the north. A loggia fitted with semi-transparent larch screening and a tall timber fence around the sauna area provide privacy on two sides. The residence features a regionally characteristic pitched roof with aluminium cladding. The roof structure was developed into a functional storage space. Built without a basement, the house rests on a concrete slab foundation. Exterior walls employ timber-frame construction with additional installation space and interior plasterboard finish. Interior partitions follow the same timber-frame approach, clad in plasterboard. Wooden beam ceilings, concrete screed, and parquet flooring complete the interior, with select areas finished in polyurethane. A distinctive detail: fixed wooden sliding shutters protrude slightly from the façade, staggered by one window width on the upper level—a refined interpretation of traditional exterior shading.

The home's interior follows the timeless logic of family living: the northern zone contains the entrance, cloakroom, shower with WC, and utility room. To the south, bathed in sunlight, lie the living spaces—open-plan kitchen, dining, and living areas—alongside a flexible guest room that doubles as a home office. The living area features birch plywood detailing, while the kitchen is crisp white. Stairs from the hallway ascend to the upper floor: the master suite with bathroom and dressing room occupy the western side, while two children's bedrooms claim the sunny southern exposure. Energy efficiency is equally thoughtful: the home is heated via an innovative ice-storage system with solar heat recovery. In summer, this same system can cool the building—a dual-purpose solution perfectly suited to the climate.

www.rm-architekten.com

(Published in CUBE Munich 03|20)