Houses with one pillar
The two houses are located on Lake Starnberg in the foothills of the Alps. The residential area on the outskirts of Starnberg was developed in the 1950s. The existing building on the plot was in poor structural condition and unfavorably positioned at the center of the plot. For these reasons, it was removed to make way for two new houses. This allowed for inner-urban densification without the need to develop or seal additional land. The material from the demolition was separated on site, shredded and processed into recycled material.
A small set-back in the positioning allows for a front garden zone to implement communication with the neighborhood. Large overhangs protect the entrance areas and, in combination with the garages, create an intermediate zone through which one can access the private flower gardens behind the houses.
The organization of the houses themselves also follows this principle: on the access side facing the street, the kitchen is arranged as a communicative space facing the neighborhood, while the living area is oriented towards the quieter garden side. The private bedrooms and offices are located on the upper floors. There is only one large room on the first floor, which is only supported by a single column - a wooden box was placed at the back to accommodate the entrance, WC and the back kitchen.
Some of the furnishings were integrated directly into the building structure, such as the kitchen worktop, which was cast in concrete onto a central pillar, making the construction itself part of the furniture. Built-in elements made of oak and raw oiled steel—like the kitchen, steps, railings, and fireplace—were custom-designed to suit the house.
The basement and partially sunken ground floor are made of solid, sandblasted concrete, while the upper floor is built from solid wood, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere. Bio-based insulation and a charred timber façade protect the structure naturally, allowing for largely visible construction materials and a minimalist, layer-free finish.
