HAUS CC
Direct comission 2019, under construction since 2020/05
Private client
Reinbek, Germany
Team: Marco Zürn, Markus Stern, Marius Mühleisen, Andrea Tumova
In collaboration with Wetzel & von Seht, Hamburg and Ingenieurbuero Karl F. Werner, Aumühle (site supervision). Thanks to Studio Emma Thomas
Photography: Alexander Rosenkranz
Awards: German Design Award 2025, Excellent Architecture, Winner
A Dialogue Between Land and Structure
Nestled in the tranquil expanse of moorland just beyond the outskirts of Hamburg, House CC presents itself as a mineral volume amidst the soft landscape. With time, the landscape and plantings will conquer the object, the mossy patina will merge it with the surroundings.
Designed for a young family, the home descends from a pathway to a pond that divides the property. The ponds opposite side with a little forest at the shore of the river Bille can be accessed by a ferry and boathouse, reinforcing the site’s connection to water and landscape.
The architecture of House CC engages subtly with its built surroundings. Inspired by Northern German brick traditions. The design adapts the nearby former Rowohlt Publishing House, a cheerful pavilion architecture from the fifties in white-painted brick on a grey slab floating above the lawn.
The house draws subtle influence from the regional architectural heritage. It resembles two stacked and shifted grey bricks. One being the large ground floor, the upper being the roof volume for the parents.
To the north, the façade is deliberately introverted, a gesture of privacy towards the nearby road. This closed elevation gives way, almost unexpectedly, to a generous expanse of glass to the south, where the house embraces the pond. The transition from opacity to transparency is a statement of intent: the home is both a refuge and a participant in its natural surroundings, where the trees act as a theatre’s stage backdrop.
The home’s floor plan layout creates a seamless connection between interior and exterior spaces. A ground-level veranda, an upper-level balcony and expansive glass doors link each room with the surrounding moorland, fostering a strong relationship with nature.
A distinctive feature is the octagonal glass tower, inspired by Reinbek Castle. This element not only provides a visual focal point but also connects the parents’ quarters with the family spaces below, enhancing spatial experience.
The house, consciously omitting a basement to avoid contact with the groundwater, incorporates ample built-in storage. The structure’s adaptability is underscored by the rotunda, which allows for the home later to be divided into a two-family residence. This flexibility reflects the project's forward-thinking approach to sustainable living. Not only does the house exhibit radical design externally, but it also excels in energy efficiency. High thermal insulation and airtight construction ensure that the interior remains warm during winter with minimal heating required. When the underfloor heating is active, it, along with the hot water needs, is powered by an electric geothermal heat pump, significantly reducing operational costs and carbon emissions.
House CC meets the highest standards of sustainability and comfort, particularly in summer heat protection, ensuring it is well-prepared for the future. The material selection follows a logic of simplicity and durability. The façade, made of roughly textured concrete, showcases the material's raw essence and tactile quality, ensuring longevity in the moor, unlike other materials like wood. Inside, the house is characterized by an open, flowing spatial concept, defined by generous windows and deliberate sightlines to the landscape. Light plays a central role, with carefully positioned windows framing the changing times of day and seasons within the living spaces.
The transition between interior and exterior is fluid; large sliding doors open the living area to the garden, creating a direct connection with the surrounding nature. The building manifests as a precisely cut geometric figure, achieving a sculptural quality through the interplay of light and shadow. The exposed concrete exterior will, over time, develop a patina from moss and other plants, further binding the structure to its natural environment. The house's clear formal language balances rationality and emotion, structure and freedom, creating an ambiguous and self-confident dialogue with its sourroundings.
Text created with the help of AI.
