The spatious property marks the border of a dense residential area in the village of Lichtentanne, at the foot of the Ore Mountains. The open landscape begins here. Wide fields give way to hilly meadows, lined with poplar trees. As beautiful as the views into the endless landscape, as rough can this nature be. Wind and weather shape the foothills of the ore Mountains with an immense force. The architectural concept incorporates both: the reference to the surrounding landscape, as well as protection from weather.

Instead of a solitaire, this new residential building is designed as an ensemble, consisting of three independent volumes. This building composition of consists of a two-storey main house, an orangery and a commercial building. It marks the border between the existing neighbourhood and the open countryside.
With simple orthogonal structures this ensemble is consciously placed in its surrounding context. At the same time, it straight-forward design of the three buildings gives it its own powerful expression.
The deliberate positioning of the three volumes on the large property creates different outdoor spaces that allow unique views into the landscape to the south as well as creating visual connections between the buildings and the green spaces on the site itself.

The three buildings are positioned around the heart of the property: the private garden. While the main house and the orangery are more or less enclosed on three sides, the ground floor is fully opened to the south and south-west, towards the enclosed garden.
The external simplicity of the design gives little hint of its internal complexity: In the main rooms, such as the kitchen, living room and foyer, large open spaces and galleries provide exciting views of the roof with its visible larch-timber construction. In addition to the windows, the built-in furniture, the flooring on the upper floor and the staircase are made from larch wood as well. The fireplace and its bench are made of natural shell limestone. With the interplay of contrasts and opposites an unexpected spatial surprise is created.
An ensemble that combines consistency, integrity and the connection to nature.

Building project: At the fields edge | new construction of a residential complex in Lichtentanne
Client: private
Completion: 2016
Photographer: Simon Menges

There are open and closed buildings. Bounded and unbounded spaces. Flowing forms and linear structures. The idea for a house in this vast landscape in Millbrook, 140 km north of New York City, was to combine these different qualities to create a unique form, bespoke to the location and task.
Under a sweeping, curved concrete roof, semi-circular rooms with orthogonal shapes merge into a hybrid spatial structure. A house without corners and edges, closed and open at the same time. The building is positioned on a prominent site, continuing and completing a rock formation, with sweeping views of the Catskills and Hudson Highlands. It is a very special home on a very special site.

Building project: Walter residence | Study for a residential and studio building in Millbrook, New York
Client: Artur Walther, New York
Design: 2018