Description
This building with two semidetached homes derives its structure from a highly individual development process, which it boldly displays. Two architectural firms were commissioned to accommodate the wishes of two very different clients under one roof. As different as their housing concepts were, both parties nevertheless asked for direct access to roof terrace and garden and, moreover, an unencumbered view of the park to the south. The living area was to be divided according to their unequal financial capacities, i.e., one-third to two-thirds. Following various developmental stages (see diagrams) the solution was found in a dividing wall, which does not constitute a continuous vertical separation between the halves but, instead, divides them in the guise of a wall, on the one hand, and then again as a staggered ceiling, all the while maintaining the same thickness and, what is more, with only minimal supporting columns, that is, in a very elaborate structural manner.
The total building cube is therefore composed of different narrow and wide rooms, which are interlaced. The living areas extend far into the neighbouring semi and enjoy a view of the park across their full widths. The smaller semi on the left side, in particular, which is strongly articulated in the vertical direction, benefits from this elongated horizontal space. The rooms flow into one another and feature generous glazed surfaces; the bedrooms and bathrooms are the only fully enclosed volumes. The meandering course of the dividing wall is thus strongly visible on the facade.
Drawings
Photos
Exterior view
Originally published in: Oliver Heckmann, Friederike Schneider (eds.), Floor Plan Manual Housing, fourth revised and expanded edition, Birkhäuser, 2011.