An Embedded Dwelling — Burgel, DE
Status: Proposal

The architecture is developed using traditional design methods of Northern Germany through the application of design features like a pitch roof, plaster, wood, glass and clear relationship with green elements. This allows a strong relationship with the site to be established.

The design for the house wants to simultaneously create a seamless relationship with the existing architecture but to also establish an individual identity that represents its inhabitants. In order to do this, a list of traditional architectural elements was collected and then manipulated based on what would best represent the identity and personality of its inhabitants. The horizontal plan of the house is oriented on a north-south axis. The north faces the road and the south faces the garden. The overall concept of the house is to create a protective boundary towards the public face of the North, which also provides access to the basement, whilst the south façade provides penetrations of various sizes to allow views into garden and natural lighting into the house.

The garage is planned as small workshop; it is connected to the upper floor via an external staircase that lands underneath the cantilevered roof to provide a shelter to the inhabitants.The ground floor houses a small kitchenette, underneath the stair, a small stube, a typical German dining place composed by a dining table and a bench wrapped around it which can host up to 6 people, a small fire place defines the transition between the dining space to the living space. The views towards the garden and landscape have been used as backdrop for the living room and study.

A Feature skylight is designed to provide additional light to enter the house. The first floor is where the bedroom is located: the use of natural material such as wood creates a warm and environment. Top hung windows have been designed to encourage natural cross ventilation. A series of outdoor elements connect the house to the garden, a wooden platform acts as an outdoor terrace, and the wooden surface is dressed with planters to give it a textural effect. Traditional techniques for the application of plaster are implemented heavily in the design. Concrete walls provide a contrast to the warm environment that the timber floors and joinery create.