Nestled on the shores of Klein Köriser See, just 50 km south of Berlin in Brandenburg, an extraordinary residence emerges from the forest—one that evokes the charm of a small village of cottages. Don't mistake this for criticism; quite the opposite, the design is deeply compelling. Situated within a dense pine forest, the building comprises five distinct cubic volumes: a larger central cube surrounded by four smaller units arranged organically throughout the site. This arrangement is no accident—it's a matter of environmental stewardship. Not a single tree was felled here. Instead, the structures were carefully positioned around the existing forest canopy. The buildings themselves rise above the forest floor on stilts, with concrete pillars set into the ground on a precise grid, supporting solid wood flooring. Even the shallow root systems of the trees were preserved throughout construction.

The thoughtfully sustainable design comes from Zeller & Moye architects. Prefabricated components kept construction time to a minimum. Across 130 m² of living space, ceiling heights range from 2.80 to 3.10 meters. The central cube serves as the primary living and kitchen area, acting as a hub that connects to the surrounding volumes—either through direct doors or via brief connecting passages. Each adjacent unit is flexible and adaptable: bedrooms, children's rooms, studios, or workshops can be configured as needed. Only the bathroom unit is fixed. The main entrance opens onto an internal courtyard formed by the arrangement of the five cubes. Strategically positioned, asymmetrically distributed fixed windows frame views of the surrounding nature like picture windows. Smaller operable windows and exterior doors from nearly every room complete the visual connection to the outdoors. Solid wood ceilings enhance the interior warmth, while walls employ an innovative modular system of wooden blocks filled with wood-fiber insulation. Local vertical spruce slats clad the exterior.

Heating is provided by a wood-burning stove in the central living area, with a biogas stove supplying additional warmth on the coldest days. A treatment system processes wastewater before it filters into the groundwater. The final touch—green roofs—will soon complete this exemplary model of climate-conscious design.

www.zellermoye.com

Photography Credits:

Cesar Bejar
www.cesarbejarstudio.com

(Published in CUBE Berlin 01|22)