If the budget had been higher, what would you have done differently?
I see the appeal in limiting myself to the essentials. Often this leads to a particularly coherent result. We actually realised the initial sketch. Only the details changed during the planning. The budget was tight, but the design freedom extensive. We were able to realise all essential elements. The timber construction was more expensive than concrete or brick, but the client wanted it. She was also the driving force behind the monochrome colouration. The idea was formed early on to use the green of the fruit orchard for the facade. It was the roof that became decisive in this aspect. In order to save costs, we opted for bituminous membrane roofing. It is available in different colours. The green slate option best matched our idea. We selected the facade colour accordingly.
How did the low budget influence the construction process?
We were able to simplify the construction – and intentionally visualise this. We designed the building with a shallow roof overhang and slim eaves. A standard gutter was out of the question. Instead, we selected a continuous angle as the design basis for the folded roof. It provides the house with a special character – almost resembling a pictogram or the wings of a bird. At the same time, the gutter protects the sliding doors from weather impacts. We omitted downpipes and saved costs for metal- and earthworks. Drained by the gutter, rainwater audibly splashes into a shaft drain – a little spectacle.
Were there any compromises?
We had planned a skylight in the studio, but didn’t realise it. We needed to save costs and a skylight would have weakened the closed roof surface. Beyond that, the carpenter didn’t want to use inexpensive polycarbonate – it is too damage-prone. Therefore, we built a model to test whether the northern glazing was sufficient to allow daylight into the house. Together with the white walls, the result is very good and leads to homogeneous and calm lighting conditions.
Did you use prefabricated elements?
We discussed this with the structural engineers of Merz Kley Partner. In theory, we could prefabricate four wall and two roof elements for the timber structure. Yet, small projects are hardly profitable for larger timber construction firms – prices are correspondingly high. The most economic solution was to use a small carpentry to realise the timber frame construction. They adapted the size of elements to their trailer, set them up on site, and insulated them. This was efficient, flexible, and kept value creation local.
In which areas were savings most sensible?
Most of all in the assembly of building components. High degrees of soundproofing, for instance, weren’t necessary. The client desired a bright studio space with a robust floor – not more. The solid floor slab is building component activated, yet non-reinforced and merely trowelled, without any further layers on top. We dug the trench for the strip foundations and poured lean concrete. Only insulation and a gravel bed are underneath the floor slab.
Which timber species found use?
All wood elements consist of domestic spruce – also the three-layer panels and the glued laminated timber. We wanted to use solid timber as far as possible. Only the large window openings required glued laminated timber beams above them. They stabilise the structure, don’t warp, and serve as lintel and wall plate. Originally, the mezzanine floor was connected to them. The client’s partner, however, is 2 metres tall. A room height of 2.30 metres in the living areas was too low. We couldn’t change the eave elevation and, thus, pushed the ceiling upward a bit. The rafters remain visible and resemble brackets beneath the flat ceiling – visually connecting all areas. The structure can be perceived throughout the house, and that was important to us.
You can find the related project documentation here.
