Striking Design
New building merges innovative construction with sustainable upcycling
This residential and commercial building showcases how sustainable construction, personal vision, and innovative architecture can converge. Situated within an industrial estate, the two-storey structure merges forward-thinking construction methods, thoughtful design, and sustainable upcycling. Decommissioned shipping containers serve as fundamental structural elements—a defining feature requested by the owner, who works in the container industry.
Hormuth Architektur tackled a seemingly contradictory challenge: the ground floor demanded an open, free-flowing layout with generous spaces, while the structural capacity of containers required a compact framework. The answer lay in hybrid construction: a conventional steel structure supports the ground floor, while reclaimed high-cube containers form the upper storey. This bold contrast celebrates both construction methods through visible design, reinforced by distinct colour treatments on each level. The façade employs sandwich panels—meeting both structural demands and visual cohesion with the surrounding industrial context. The building sits comfortably among neighboring warehouses, and a solid street-facing wall—matching the façade—preserves privacy while an integrated gate marks the property boundary and controls access.
Inside, the containers take center stage. A dramatic 12-metre-wide glass wall anchors the open-plan living spaces below, made possible by the steel structure's generous span. This interior-exterior dialogue continues through seamless polished concrete flooring on the ground level. Strategically oriented, the glass façade maximizes natural light while minimizing heat gain. Upper-floor overhangs provide natural shading and optimize indoor comfort. The layout thoughtfully opens toward landscaped areas, creating two private courtyards and a secluded garden. An integrated heat pump (no external unit), high-performance glazing, radiant floor heating, and a green roof complete this comprehensive sustainable energy strategy.
Photography:
Nuno Fernandes Tomás
(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 03|25)
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