This unique site is located south of the city center of Halle/Saale. The historic coffee garden was built at the beginning of the 18th century. Until the middle of the 20th century, it was a popular destination for daytrips and retreats. To reactivate the full potential and the unmistakable charm of this historically valuable, listed place it was necessary to develop an extremely sensitive approach to the existing buildings that were to be preserved. Our concept was to reuse the historic buildings, convert them and transform them to meet the new requirements.
However, due to the diverse uses and needs, new building structures were additionally necessary. These necessary extensions will be built on the old building’s original footprints. In the past, during medieval times, the site was already built up much more densely anyways. The natural combination between old and new is created by the use of qualitative, timeless materials like natural stones, finely textured lime plaster, and coffered windows and doors.
The former Kaffeegarten is to be reactivated in its form and function. New “ingredients” such as a delicatessen, a restaurant, a hotel and vacation apartments as well as space for therapy and art transform this place, that is so rich in history, into a contemporary, unmistakable place of recreation.

Building project: Coffee garden Am Mühlwerder | Renovation and extension of a historic ensemble for catering and accommodation
Client: GWG Gesellschaft für Wohn- und Gewerbeimmobilien Halle-Neustadt mbH
Completion: 2026 – under construction

The village of “Greifenhain” is part of the region “Kohrener Land”. It is a beautiful landscape, also known as “Tuscany of saxony”, with its gentle hills, fields and wide meadows. Here, a former four-sided farm of which only two buildings currently remain, located in a central position within the village, will be converted into a retreat. A place for art and culinary delights as well as retreat and contemplation.

The potentials of the property lie within its contrast and opposites.
Open green space to closed courtyard. A long main house to a small stable. Large, vaulted areas with thick, massive foundations to small, simple chambers with light timber framing.
Based on these historical conditions, the Hofgut is to derive its new, differentiated uses. The former stable building in the north will be revitalized in form of a new building.
Its cubature refers to the historic building. However, instead of the small former openings, the pure wooden construction now opens up into the adjacent meadows with large façade openings.
The existing structures will be rebuilt, adapted, and refurbished as little as possible and as much as necessary for the new functions. The aim is to retain the basic appearance of the facility and to create an independent yet familiar place out of the conditions of the property and the historical features of the village. A natural architecture with maximum flexibility of use, magnificent views and plenty of natural daylight. A new anchor with national appeal. A building between forest and meadow, between privacy and community. A farmstead that has always been a natural part of the village and is now being given a new life.

Building project: HILDEN | Conversion of a four-sided courtyard into a Retreat
Client: Private
Completion: 2026 – under construction

Gut Kerkow is an organic farm in the heart of the Uckermark region.
In addition to day tourists, who are interested in agriculture and organic products, Gut Kerkow attracts more and more people who want to enjoy the place and the landscape for a longer period of time. In order to satisfy these desires, specific recreational spaces are being created at three different locations in the vicinity of the estate. The architecture is based on the simple farm buildings of the surrounding area. Nevertheless, the buildings are intended to provide new impulses for the estate and the region. All of the buildings will be built using ecological wooden construction and will be supplied with energy from the farm’s own biogas plant.
A new apartment house with six residential units and a wellness area marks the start of the construction work in the north of the existing complex. Based on the architecture of Nordic longhouses and with dark wooden cladding, the compact building mediates between the historic farm and the wide landscape of the Uckermark region. The building is designed as a pure timber construction.

Further holiday apartments are planned in the southeastern part of the extensive property.
In the neighbouring residential area, however, the focus lies on detached buildings.
Approximately nine holiday homes are planned in an open style with a loose connection to each other’s positions, as can be found in the immediate vicinity. The holiday homes will be integrated into the landscape and will be positioned rather freely on the plots, in harmony with the existing vegetation. A further goal is to integrate the houses into the estate and to strengthen its touristic potential.
The single- and in some cases multi-storey houses with their steep hipped roofs merge with the landscape and the surrounding buildings.
The use of local materials and stylistic elements such as wood and brick play a major role here too. An interplay of tradition and presence that transfers the history of Kerkow unagitated into the present day.

Building project: Holiday cottages Gut Kerkow | New holiday ensembles and retreats in the Uckermark
Client: Gut Kerkow Tourismus GmbH
Completion: 2026 – in planning

As the “Cabin in the Woods”, which was completed in 2011, is extremely popular, its residents regularly receive visitors and there was a desire for a sauna and a small studio, it was time for a structural addition.
In analogy to the Waldhaus, its extension was also made entirely of wood in 2022. In this case, the solid timber floor slab and roof structure were made of cross-laminated timber.

In perfect harmony with its surrounding nature, the Lodge’s rough-sawn cladding is shimmering in a rich and dark forest green. Depending on how the light is falling through the trees, the one-storey building seems to become one with the pine trees around it. This simple house is highlighted only by differently designed openings in the façade. The wellness- and meditation space is characterized by a round window and a double-winged door with glass coffering. The entrance to the studio in the east is also built as a coffered double door. These images evoke memories of the structured paper walls of Japanese tea houses.
The natural surfaces of the wood have also remained visible on all walls on the inside. Only a transparent glaze to protect the wood has been added. The interior of the Sauna is characterized by reused and recycled wood boards.
The small window opening and the glass arched door allow the view from this dark, secluded, and warm chamber into the silence of the calm pine forest.

Building project: Serenity lodge | new building of a Guesthouse in the pine forest of Brandenburg
Client: private
Completion: 2022
Photographer: Clemens Poloczek