The gabled house, an omnipresent motif in countless children’s drawings, stands as the epitome of German residential architecture. This very archetype was the starting point for Atelier ST architects to conceive an unconventional home: for a couple who moved from a converted school building in the city back to the neighborhood of their childhood—a typical suburb on the outskirts of Leipzig, adorned with flourishing gardens and street-facing gables.
In keeping with the motto "two is better than one,” Atelier ST placed two narrow gabled houses so tightly together that they merge into one large house on the inside: a trick that made it possible to stay within the building lines of the small-scale neighborhood while accommodating the demanding spatial program in a compact way. Despite the apparent simplicity of the outer shell of the two elongated volumes, the interior unfolds into a complex sequence of interconnected spaces and levels.
At first glance, the duplication of the gable seems perplexing, while the rounded windows are not in the framework of the orderly surroundings. The rustic texture of the board-formed concrete facade harmonizes more with the nearby forest than with the neighboring houses. Its single-layer concrete serves as the primary load-bearing structure. On the interior, the thermal insulation is plastered with natural clay and comprises 'hemp lime', an ecological and energy-efficient material not yet widely adopted in Germany.
Passing through the rounded entrance portal, the ambient lights of the surrounding nature gracefully filter through the artistic glazing. The arched shapes of doors and passageways resonate throughout the house, seamlessly connecting the open-plan cooking and dining area—a homage to the barrel vault of the school auditorium, which significantly influenced the clients’ wishes. The living area, slightly elevated, emanates an almost sacred ambiance that ascends to the roof.
The private master area occupies the intermediate upper level, just a few steps below the rooms for children, guests, and workspaces. Each room celebrates its unique view of the natural surroundings, purposefully playing with the contrast between the elongated outer shape of the house and its inner structure. To intensify this juxtaposition, Atelier ST has integrated two bracing walls in the interior, leaving the concrete exposed, mirroring the façade.
Breaking away from the conventional (double) standards of a detached house estate, Atelier ST has crafted captivating spatial sequences for their clients. The design navigates an intricate interplay between openness and retreat, between light and shadow and, between shell and content.
