A Hamburg family initially set out to find a weekend retreat in the Schlei region near Kappeln. Instead, a classified ad led them to something far better: a lakeside property with existing structures that seemed almost too perfect to be true. The decision to make Kappeln their permanent home was made instantly. Architect Dirk Heubel then transformed and expanded the original building to suit their needs.

The 1960s settlement house—with its characteristic floor plan and cramped rooms—fell short of contemporary living standards. The family needed additional space to integrate work and home life seamlessly. Yet from day one, there was consensus: the house's distinctive cubic form, roof profile, and as much of the original structure as possible would be preserved. This commitment to respecting the building's heritage ultimately convinced the previous owner's son to sell to the family.

The architect's vision was straightforward: adapt the single-storey settlement house for modern living, then extend it with a two-storey rear wing anchored by a connecting transverse bar. Inside, the former kitchen and dining room merged into one expansive kitchen-living space—the true heart of daily family life. The original structure and new extension dialogue beautifully, framing views of the trees and lake from virtually every angle. What emerges preserves the settlement house tradition while reinterpreting the outdoor spaces with contemporary sensibility. A refined outer shell ties everything together—understated yet distinctly present. Its dual-material façade is sophisticated: what initially reads as timber cladding is actually curtain tiles—handcrafted in wooden moulds from various clay types and fired at high temperature, evoking traditional barrel tiles. The result is a striking, textured surface that lends the building unified character, where the boundary between façade and roof dissolves into seamless continuity.

The finishing touch comes from budget-conscious black steel cladding with narrow folds, cleanly marking the new additions. Because the extension rests on a timber frame, the entire project moved swiftly—completed in just five months. The family settled in right on schedule for the new school year. The original house offers 115 m² of living space, while the bright, generously glazed extension adds another 75 m²—plenty of room for the family and their guests.

www.architektheubel.de

Photos:
Jakob Lerche
www.jakoblerche.dk
Daniel Sumesgutner
www.sumesgutner.de

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 03|25)