Perched just 50 metres from Schlachtensee's most idyllic setting, Villa K in Zehlendorf stands as an extraordinary jewel—a singular vision brought to life with meticulous craftsmanship and refined interiors. The expansive grounds stretch generously toward the rear, yet the street-facing residential neighbourhood maintains an intimate, village-like character. The clients envisioned a residence that balanced a primary dwelling with an independent guest apartment, all seamlessly integrated. An underground garage for five automobiles—including valuable collector's pieces—was non-negotiable. Historic preservation requirements mandated both a pitched roof and light facade.Elevated slightly above its neighbours' properties, the villa commands its own garden plateau, accessed by stairs from the entrance—a deliberate gesture that preserves privacy and visual separation from the street. StudioHansen's ingenious design orchestrates this retreat masterfully: a natural stone facade shields the street-facing gardens from view, while the generous entrance glazing floats on the second level, filtered by wooden louvers that temper transparency. The cantilevered flat roof—a nod to modernist ideals—folds gracefully upward into the pitched gable, cleverly accommodating two pavilion-like volumes: the master suite captures southeast light at dawn, while the club room basks in southwest evening warmth overlooking the garden.Every material speaks to uncompromising quality. Light Bauhaus travertine, alive with natural stone variation, flows from the garden terrace into living spaces—simultaneously warm and rigorously architectural. Charcoal-lacquered aluminium frames with slender profiles appear to dematerialise against the glazing, paired with stained ash panelling. The pitched roof crowns a soaring central hall—loft-like in its generosity—anchored by a striking tower-form chimney that orchestrates the circulation to all adjacent zones: club room, guest quarters, kitchen, and dining area. A gallery ascends to the second floor, revealing children's rooms and the master suite with dressing room and spa-like bath. The dramatic 14-metre sliding glass wall effortlessly dissolves the boundary between indoors and garden.Finishes reflect the same precision: whitewashed oak flooring below, computer-milled solid wood stairs, and on the upper level, white-lacquered, brushed Douglas fir. Carrara marble, hand-selected for consistency, lines the bathroom. The northeast-facing skylight band opens electronically, drawing cool air through natural cross-ventilation—a quiet intelligence that extends to the home's thermal strategy, powered entirely by geothermal energy harvested beneath the garden.

www.studiohansen.berlin

Photography:

Christoph Theurer and Dima Debski

(Featured in CUBE Berlin 03|23)