Gold Architecture, Building and Structure Design · 2017
Haus M Private House
by Gronych + Dollega Architekten
- A' Design Award 2017 Gold Winner in Architecture, Building and Structure Design
- Awarded April 15, 2017
- CLIENT: Gronych + Dollega Architekten
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 37,721
- Verification code 96C90A7019 · Verify this award
About Haus M Private House
Haus M is a private house in Tiefenbach, Germany, completed in 2012. The asymmetric shape of the interior recalls the image of a mine. The main room measures 10 meters by 8 meters and is 6 meters high. A sculpturally shaped gallery layer is suspended within the main room and divides its height. The main building uses a prefabricated wood frame of glued wooden beams, from which the gallery is hung. The basement and the ceiling above it are made of in-situ concrete, and the roof cladding is an aluminium alloy. The large frontal terrace adds depth to the main room.
Haus M Private House by Gronych + Dollega Architekten stands as a compelling exemplar of contemporary residential design that pushes the boundaries of structural expression and material dialogue while maintaining profound sensitivity to site and landscape integration. The work emerges from traditions of sculptural architecture that gained prominence through the explorations of deconstructivist practitioners who challenged orthogonal conventions, here manifested in a bold cantilevered concrete form whose angular geometry suggests both dynamic movement and protective shelter. The architects demonstrate exceptional command of engineering possibility, achieving a dramatic prow-like projection that appears to defy gravitational expectation while creating a compelling threshold experience for those approaching the dwelling. Material selection reveals sophisticated understanding of weathering, patina, and temporal beauty, with corten steel elements contributing warm oxidized surfaces that will continue evolving in dialogue with environmental exposure, creating living surfaces that mark the passage of seasons. The curvilinear upper volume, clad in ribbed metal, introduces biomorphic vocabulary that softens the angular assertiveness of the primary concrete mass, suggesting perhaps an organic growth emerging from mineral base. Landscape design demonstrates equal thoughtfulness, with sinuous pathways, carefully placed deciduous plantings, and dark aggregate beds establishing dialogue between built intervention and natural process. The composition invites consideration of architecture as both shelter and sculpture, functional vessel and aesthetic statement, permanent structure and evolving presence within its setting. Viewers might contemplate how the interplay of solid and void, weight and lightness, warm and cool materials reflects broader human experiences of groundedness and aspiration, protection and openness to the world beyond.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The asymmetric shape of the space within the residence evokes the image of a mine. This results in a very high room, which is therefore segmented by a sculpturally shaped, suspended gallery layer. A lively and tense spatial structure is being formed hereby. The large frontal terrace plane operates like a stage set and provides the room with an immense depth.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- high main room 10000 mm x 8000 mm x 6000 mm
- Tags
- Haus M, Haus des Markscheiders, Wohnhaus, residential house, Architektur, architecture, design
- Production Technology
- The shape of the main building consists of an entirely prefabricated Wood Frame construction. The construction itself is made up of symmetrically arranged glued wooden beams.
The gallery plane is hung from those beams and seemingly floats within the main room.
The basement as well as the ceiling on top of it are made of in-situ concrete. The parapet of the terrace is made up of a single pre-built element of concrete.
Concrete was also used in the outside area for the ramp, the path towards the entrance and the driveway.
The roof cladding is made from metal (aluminium alloy). - Design Challenge
- The experimental architecture, as well as the resulting geometry and the artisanal execution require a huge amount of passion and concentration from all parties involved.
- Project Duration
- Location: Tiefenbach, Hessen, Germany
Completion: 2012 - Operation Flow
- The asymmetric shape of the space within the residence evokes the image of a mine. This results in a very high room, which is therefore segmented by a sculpturally shaped, suspended gallery layer. A lively and tense spatial structure is being formed hereby. The large frontal terrace plane operates like a stage set and provides the room with an immense depth.
- Research
- The final design is a direct result of the original construction project. The task was to enable the habitant ever-changing spatial impressions within the main room depending on perspective.
The sculptural crafting and arranging of architectural planes on the in- and outside creates emotions.
The chosen geometry, the monolithic flair of the interior, as well as the vividly composed outside elements imitate archaic shapes of the traditional mining business, which have been transformed into modern architecture. - Inspiration
- The client's profession of Markscheider basically describes a surveyor who specializes in the mining business. The main goal for the concept of the building was the transformation of typical archaic mining shapes into modern architecture.
- Image Credits
- gronych + dollega architekten
Peter Gronych Yvonne Dollega