Shortly after buying it, the family of five gave the winegrower's house in the centre of the spa town a makeshift renovation and moved in for the planning phase. The original concept was changed several times; a design and a model were first produced by the family themselves, until the client decided to bring in an architect after all. The choice fell on Caramel Architekten, and together many creative ideas were combined into an overall concept.
So as not to compete with the nostalgic wine-tavern atmosphere through the modern new building, but rather to embed it in the feeling of living there, the garden atmosphere was carried over to all the newly created levels.
The ground floor remained an open space in every respect, on which only the continuous glass façade defines a cold and a warm zone. The projecting exposed concrete slab plays harmoniously with the concrete surface of the garden terrace and contrasts with the lively water reflections.
The first floor houses a generous parents' bedroom with bathroom and a compromise-oriented sleeping and study room with bathroom for three girls.
The attic holds a light-flooded work area with open views over the surrounding gardens and buildings.
The generous playroom in the basement gets its light via an openly glazed staircase.
The urge for autonomy and initiative bears fruit in countless details – and not only as columnar fruit trees to be harvested on every floor. The curious observer will discover a hidden wood-burning stove here, an almost too simple lighting system there, and all sorts of unexpected things elsewhere.
