award => german timber construction award 2011 – categorie new buildings
Acknowledgement of the Jury: A family from Berlin wanted a weekend- and holiday cottage at the lake “Scharmützelsee” in Brandenburg. The jury awarded this gem because of the diverse and very successful use of the material wood: The construction of timber framing, the naturally weathered larch wood shell and especially the interior show the different possibilities to use this building material.
All surfaces inside – even in the bathrooms – are covered with bright coniferous wood. Shelves set into alcoves and other built-in parts of the same material form a harmonious ensemble. Despite the “all-wood design” the house appears very bright and airy. Details, such as fittings embedded in the wooden doors and large sized sliding windows with filigree wooden frames, are of a high quality design. The prudent adaption of the building into the surrounding landscape shows the summer- and weekend retreat worthy of the award. A small but fine masterpiece.
The strong emphasis of the horizontal lines and the permeability and view through the building to the lake make you think of other pavilions of great ease, which also follow the motto: Less is more.
partners
house builders: Doris Schäffler and Stephan Schütz, Berlin