Haus am Hang, Menzenschwand | Germany

Seen from a distance, the holiday home in timber construction by the Stuttgart architects AMUNT Nagel Theissen in Menzenschwand in the south of the Black Forest fits harmoniously and discretely into the surrounding buildings with its classic pitched roof. But if you view the two-storey house from closer, it is surprising in many respects: the roof with its large projection is set at a 45° angle to the building structure, leading to unusual spatial layouts inside and out. The 110 m² detached house on a slope is additionally built completely on reinforced concrete supports – if you view it from the right angle, you see not only over it, but also under.

Inside, the classic room boundaries seem to vanish. The central living area extends over two storeys with various levels, steps, edges and room intersections. The typical functions of floor, wall, fitted furniture and stairs appear to be questioned frequently. Fascinating, multifunctional, split-level room zones arise that, in combination with large windows and the colour design in various wood and green tones, have the effect of being interweaved with the surrounding natural environment. The planners thus describe the spatial experience as a "walk through the house", where the "wanderer is accompanied by numerous, extensive views into the valley and the surroundings, and has the feeling of simultaneously being inside and outside“.

A central stairway leads to the upper floor via an open gallery. Up there are small and very different bedrooms and guest rooms with alcoves, bunk beds or galleries accessible using fixed ladders. In total, the holiday home offers varied sleeping places for eight for families, friends and couples.

The house was equipped with the electrical classic LS 990 in one-gang to five-gang frames with switches, rockers, sockets and temperature controllers. The white operating elements provide beautiful accents on the green background or are almost invisible in the light wood. Small icons, applied on the switches using the JUNG Graphic Tool, make operation as intuitive as possible for holidaymakers. A "control centre" in the kitchen with two five-gang frames with various inserts and two sockets enables convenient operation of the classically wired building technology from a single location.

The small, low-tech building is sustainable in many respects: with the elevated construction, the footprint and the soil sealing are kept to a minimum. Additionally, the building is automatically protected from snow and water. The materials used are simple and long-lasting. The exterior walls are in a timber frame design and covered with local timber. The internal walls consist of white, oiled, cross-laminated timber. For energy production, a photovoltaic system was installed. Infra-red panel heating and a wood stove provide warmth, and slot vents regulate ventilation. All electrical components from LS 990 in white are additionally Cradle to Cradle certified.