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Architects: Sonja & Thilo Kurzemann
- Area: 180 m²
- Year: 2011
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Photographs:Thomas Mayer
Text description provided by the architects. Urbanistically and ecologically, the concentrated construction of Haus K is reasonable, but privacy is an architectural challenge. The site, a small plot of land only 13 x 23 meters, is jammed between two others.
The panel for the main building was 9 x 10 meters, 2 meters border margin east and west. The cubical structure is free standing like a stone on the site. The interior was hollowed out and processed like a snail shell. A small cube is cut out of the north-facade and forms the canopy to the entrance of the house. From here an outside stair leads to a gravel-covered patio which is access and illumination to a spacious guest room in the basement.
The garden in the south and the whole ground floor are slightly raised from the adjacent sites. The south-west corner of the structure is cut out for a covered terrace. The high windows in the living area allow a view of the green living room which is furnished with an apple tree and bordered by a hornbeam hedge that provides the desired privacy.
The furniture develops out of the architecture and refines the architecture. Architecture and interior architecture agree with each other. Varying ceiling heights, adjusted cupboard volumes, comprehensive blanked out air spaces and freely arranged window cutouts broach the issue of freedom between the surrounding next-door houses.
The sophisticated character of the spaces enables surprising light moods and reflections at highest level of protection against prying eyes. The lowered concrete bath tub in the first floor requires the only 2,10 meters high entrance area which leads into the 2,70 meters high light-flooded living space. The penthouse on the second floor has a large roof terrace and high glass partitions to the south-west allowing a view over the nearby forest and creek scenery of the Swiss alps.
The choice of materials of visible concrete, dull varnished spruce and honed anhydrite floor gives the home its an essential, reduced impact.
