The best way to describe this private residence in Kreuzau, Germany
is by using the famous line "Less is More". With a glass facade fronted
by a simple deck and glass rail system, the home allows the focus to be
of the stunning panoramic lakeside view rather then anything within the
not so humble abode. LHVH Architekten used clean Modernist lines as a
theme throughout the public and private zones of the home with textural
stories creating subtle divisions. The wall to wall - ceiling to floor
glass panels wrap the corner of this home to continue along the living,
dining, and kitchen areas respectively and despite its modest size, this
home feels larger then life due to the natural landscape that surrounds
it.
The deck and home appear to balance on the rocky outcrop at the edge
of the slope but actually are cut into the slope for a stable and
protected environment. With the landscape dropping quickly, the home has
the feel of being cantilevered without actually being so.
Access to the landscape below is through a long flight of stairs that runs parallel to the deck.
The large expanses of glass are relieved by two sections of greywacke
stone laid in brick patterns with one of the sections housing an indoor
and outdoor fireplace.
When not in use, the two sided fireplace acts as a window to the
outdoors. This stone framed window within a wall of windows is an
interesting study of perspective in front of the panoramic views and the
large tree just beyond the deck continues the story of depth perception
as does the round skylight centred between the fireplace and dining
area.
The ceiling of this home is punctuated with several round skylights
and combined they create a dynamic flow through the space. Crisp, clean
lined furnishings are kept to the basics with the only addition of
colour coming from the multiple hues used on the moulded plastic dining
chairs. The hues are each kept to a deep shadow base so as not to
compete with the views.
Just off the living area is the private bedroom. The bedroom is
closed of with the use of two floor to ceiling doors that each have an
inlayed stainless steel detail. The doors are majestic and grand and
beside them is a niche framed in exposed concrete and filled with mirror
to reflect the views. The stately entrance does not betray the private
space it shields.
The dressing room is clad on both sides with mid to dark hand
finished cherry wood paneling, however the space is well lit by the
overhead skylights. To magnify the natural light and offer the home
owner a place to check out their clothes, a mirror covers the end wall.
The private washroom is a study of neutrals with the continued use of
cherry wood, a central wall of travertine behind the vanity - all
wrapped in white.
With a deck and windows that wrap 3 sides of this home, the panoramic
views are kept front and centre both inside and out. 9 skylights allow
natural light to flow throughout the space, as do the walls of glass.
The steep drop of the embankment creates both a place for the home to nestle into and to project off of.
Cut into the slope, the home has a protected vantage point of the panoramic lakeside views.
With the private setting and the panoramic views, the homeowners can
enjoy the lifestyle well into the night. After the sun has gone down the
skylights offer a reverse lighting effect and cast a soft glow up into
the canopy of tree.
