Fluid Architecture

By Teresa Simon

Photography: David Franck; courtesy the architect

 

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Incorporating seamless views and geometric fluidity, Ar. J. Mayer H builds a contextual hillside home in Stuttgart, Germany.

You must have repeatedly seen various residences built on hillsides, attuned to nature, enveloping scenic vistas, serene and iconic in expression. IAnD has featured quite a few too. But then, we come across yet another house with its quintessential design elements and yet again, explore the design sensibility in its making.

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Ar. J. Mayer H recently accomplished a home on the hillside near Stuttgart, Germany for a family of 4. The large 488 sq. m. home boasts of ground plus two levels, where the family’s recreational area, public spaces and private quarters are housed in that order. Once again, being a home amidst nature – the predictable call was to usher in as much of the natural scenery as possible.

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Using a heat-insulating compound system, and an aluminium and glass facade, slats and anti-glare sheeting provide integrated sun protection, simultaneously opening up the home to the vistas. A concrete construction provides lightweight, drywall partition-walls inside with the floor, a seamless layer of screed. The roof has a deep, recessed balcony with pre-weathered zinc plate cladding and is fitted with solar panels. Outdoor paved areas are realized as tartan surfaces.

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Accomplishing neutrality in the building material whilst finishing it chic, the architect introduces a breath-taking central design element - a sculptural staircase that connects all three levels, as the highlight of the home.

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Puritanical, white fluidity characterizes the individualistic expression of this simple home that silently underlines a character of its own; housed in a conventional, typical 1960’s neighbourhood with the generous valley view as its natural backdrop.