kraus schönberg architects: haus w

'haus w' by kraus schönberg architects in hamburg, germany
all images courtesy kraus schönberg architects
image © ioana marinescu

'haus w' by london-based practice kraus schönberg architects is a private, low-energy dwelling
for a young couple and their two children in hamburg, germany. conceived as an affordable prefabricated
project, the house is composed of two parts - an upper and lower level - that seeks to connect the interior
space together while engaging with the surrounding lush site through a transparent gap that wraps around
the residence at ground level.



exterior view
image © kraus schönberg architects


situated on a green plot surrounded by mature trees, the house is relatively simple in its rectangular
volume but gains a dynamic identity through various excising of its facade: a collection of large and
small square-shaped windows puncture the elevations while a strip of glazing circumscribes around
the base of the house. changing in its height and width, the continuous window creates the illusion of
a hovering white house. though partially inserted into the ground, the treatment provides a large level of
sunlight into the interior as well as an eye-level view towards the garden.




entrance
image © kraus schönberg architects



looking into living space
image © kraus schönberg architects


pivoting around an inner atrium, the programs are pragmatically arranged between two levels:
the communal space is located on the ground floor while the higher level accommodates the bedrooms,
bathrooms, and childrens' area. the heights of these programs have been altered to correspond with
their individual functions, resulting in an arrangement of staggered volumes that gain definition without
partitions. the inhabitants remain connected through a series of internal windows that look out onto
the atrium and different areas of the residence.



interior view
image © kraus schönberg architects



view of garden
image © kraus schönberg architects



ceiling composed of staggered volumes
image © kraus schönberg architects



image © kraus schönberg architects



inner atrium
image © kraus schönberg architects



views of multi-storey bookshelf
images © ioana marinescu



internal windows connecting views
image © kraus schönberg architects



looking onto children's room and level below
image © kraus schönberg architects



image © kraus schönberg architects



night view
image © kraus schönberg architects



diagrams and sketches



physical model



section



section


project info:

gross floor area: 130 m2
structural engineer: werner sobek engineering
main contractor: holzbau pagels