Terrace options for a German-style house. Making your own home: German-style façade

Decor elements 12.05.2019

Decor elements

The difference between Germany and Italy

Everything that the Germans build is economical, rational and comfortable, and therefore beautiful! Who was in Germany, for sure, first of all, is amazed by the impressions of the streets of residential areas of the private sector. Clean, neat, very clear and some very new even if old, they seem to be built from a Lego constructor.

Even in the beauty of Italy, houses are alive, talking about their history. It is also very clean and there is no dust on the streets, which is hard to believe until you see it for yourself. Next to the brand new and freshly repaired buildings, you can find a peeling facade, on which the past, the year before last, and the very ancient look through the upper layers of paint, everything - different colors. Or suddenly it catches the eye with beautiful century-old shutters - taparella ... And the plants, which the sea is flooded, feel free and bloom violently and joyfully everywhere. In Italy, for comparison, the cleanliness and beauty of houses and yards is very natural and natural.

A peeling patio is not uncommon. Any artist would die of happiness to write this plaster with a brick and a vase ... But in Germany, no matter how you look, you will not find such walls ANYWHERE. Love for order is above all. Everything, literally everything, is strictly under the ruler.

If the Italians, with their seventh sense of harmony, verify the expediency of this or that detail of architecture, interior and landscape, then the Germans calculate everything. How is the classic, "Algebra to check harmony." Flowers are blooming as per instructions. Only in Germany can even plants be disciplined. The one who designed the small loggias allowed himself too much emotion and love for Gaudí…

The wild, unbridled, barbaric plant in the photo has allowed itself to grow as it pleases. In the center of Bavaria, in the city of Hitler, it seems to be growing in a free curve! Naive, it only seems. Even wild grapes are ordered. It is pinned to the wall with numerous brackets that support it and keep it in frames at the same time. So everywhere in Germany: both inside houses and outside. For comparison: italian plants break even out of bounds. Do you feel the difference in the category of freedom-discipline?

Purity in Italian houses just brilliant. In Germany it is sterile. The photos were not processed. On the streets you really will not find a single candy wrapper with a microscope, not a single trash can. And in the house of every respectable citizen, cleanliness is like in an operating room. At first it touched my Slavic creative soul, then it tired me. And I always wanted to create at least some kind of artistic mess. It will always remain a mystery how, with love for all sorts of little things, souvenirs, coasters and ruffles, you can keep the house in such impeccability. We have any life activity generates a slight chaos. And chaos is a horror word for the Germans, the antonym of order, almost death.

Conditions for creating a German home

So, is it possible here and right now to make your house "a la Germany"? Well, nothing is impossible under the moon... Only a number of conditions must be met.

The first condition, the second and the third - is fanatical accuracy reaching to mania. You should be annoyed by the rug under the door, which does not lie at an angle of ninety degrees to the door, but is slightly offset. You cannot go to bed if the dishes in the kitchen are not all rubbed with a linen towel and laid out in orderly sparkling rows on the shelves, if the linen is not starched and ironed. Hard-working German women have long resorted to the services of specialists, keeping order in the house, and at the same time managing to earn no less than their husbands.

The fourth condition is a separate territory. The Germans love separate houses, even if they are right next to the neighbors, their own personal territory. Every true Aryan living in a metropolis works to save up for his hut.

The fifth condition is fences and fences, everything is clearly divided by partitions. This signals to the sentimental soul of the German that the border is locked up, and order will not spread anywhere. If there are no visible fences, they will be replaced sharp lines and strict morals.

The sixth condition is that everything is very sound, built at least for centuries. I deliberately meticulously peered into every square centimeter of buildings. And I did not find a single dangling curtain, not a single crooked nail head. If the boards are knocked down, then one into one tightly, the wallpaper is firmly stuck to the wall. Smooth brick and stone masonry, nothing crumbles and breathes into incense. If any impudent screw takes it into his head to get loose, he immediately puts himself in place. The ripped seam is sewn up without a trace. And they rarely break anything, because initially it was made very high quality. And furniture or appliances are thrown away when they are morally obsolete, but still work. All this “used from Germany” is picked up and transported to us, settling in “All from Germany” shops.

The seventh condition follows from the sixth and affirms only quality materials. If you are ready to follow these seven points, everything is in order. You may well have a real German house.

Stylistic features

Now we can talk about stylistic features. The form houses as close as possible to the square. That is, the width and height are equal or almost equal. The foundation is quite high, and ground floor it is customary to veneer with stone or imitate this cladding. This reason is not only the criteria of beauty. Bavaria and Saxony are prone to floods. A German-style house must withstand the onslaught of the elements. In Bavaria, they like to raise masonry to the very roof in the corners, and even in the center of the facade.

themselves walls plastered and painted almost everywhere in light colors. Almost always in shades of milk, less often in pale pastels. As you have already noticed, facade necessarily lined with wood. It can be just a simple lattice, or it can be a real work of art. The wooden details are always dark, that's it, and the stonework underneath makes them look like each other. And everything would be like in the army, but! The Germans love to decorate their houses with protruding elements - balconies and bay windows. Bay windows and balconies are always different, they are like a highlight, like a decoration. They make the houses individual and unique.

In the right corner of the photo, where there are bay windows and balconies, we have the rare happiness of seeing a fragment of an old, old house. Now he is completely different... Roofs the houses are complex, multi-slope, with attics and mansards. Often an entire apartment is placed under the very roof. Previously, they were covered with fabulously beautiful real ceramic tiles. Today, almost all of it has been replaced with metal tiles. And almost always traditional terracotta colors.

The entrance to the house is always organized by a small stairs five to seven steps wooden door with windows and a canopy over it. Entrance doors are indeed quite fragile. I have not seen iron and armored anywhere. Window- rectangular, with a proportion of 2/3, or arched. Partitions traditionally divide the window into six parts. Practical Germans today have replaced almost all traditional ones with plastic ones, with white or brown frames.

Understand the love of the Germans for plants almost impossible. Some kind of strange love, but many like this clarity. Yes, yes, almost always, almost everywhere - red flowers. And so it is in Austria. It is not possible to find out why this is so, the secrets are kept under an iron lock. And why bother when all the details together create an incredibly calm, cozy atmosphere!

Layout of German houses

The house in the German style is primarily rational. Every inch of space must exist with meaning, and not just like that. Therefore, in a German house there are no blockages anywhere, no corners that you stumble upon.

It is strange, no matter how closely the Slavic "soul wide open" in a clear framework german home, gradually this soul gets used to the convenience, comfort and ergonomics of every inch. Begins to be imbued with expediency, which is always guided by the Germans. And when you return home, and chaos covers you from the first kilometers of your native land, you understand that this is somehow not very cool. And then you streamline, streamline and streamline everything in your life for a long time, until the boundaries are erased and spiritual comfort sets in. So the lifestyle that a German-style house obeys is not the worst in the world.

In such a house as in the photo, it is really good to live. You have planned everything well, thought it over and worked hard. And now there are no unpleasant surprises waiting for you. Everything is provided: comfort, stability and tranquility. That's what you can feel while living in such a house.

Recently, when arranging a house, special attention is paid to its design. Modern designers offer many of the most different ideas that will help make the house exclusive. The design of the facade of the house plays a paramount role. All styles of house facades deserve special attention, as they emphasize the status, taste, features of a particular era or country.

Decorative finishing of the house emphasizes its features and taste of the owner. To make a choice regarding external design at home, you need to decide on the building material and style. When choosing one or another style, one should also take into account how the nearby houses look and the features of the area in which the building itself is located. After that, you can get to work.

Each owner wants to make his home unique, so that it stands out from the rest. The most successful way to give your building originality is to execute it in a certain architectural style. This can be done both at the design stage and when the walls of the cottage have already been erected.

Preference can be given to a cozy and modest German style. The facades of houses in the German style have a solid and original look. German architecture has long been characterized by economy, practicality and unusual design. Not too much material is needed for finishing, which is also very beneficial.

German style house facade

Such houses are usually built in the shape of a square or. Due to the cubic shape and smooth surface the house takes on a noble and rich appearance. True, the style is not limited to a smooth and perfectly painted surface. Since ancient times, the main element in the external design German houses was decorative rock. It acts as the main building material. Currently, the plinth is decorated with stone.

As for windows, they are made in the form of rectangles or arched, dividing them into several sections with lintels. Wooden shutters can protrude decorative element. Doors are painted in a color contrasting with the facade. The roof of the house is covered with red tiles.

It should be noted that any built house can really be styled in the German style. The main thing is to choose the right building material.

Chalet style houses

Chalet-style house facades are very common in France and the Alps. They are small buildings that used to serve as a shelter for shepherds. The word "chalet" in French means "shepherd's house". This style is widely used in the West. Recently, Russia has also begun to pay attention to such an unusual design. True, these houses will not be appropriate for the city. If you want to retire from the noisy metropolis, then a chalet-style country house is exactly what you need.

Facade of a chalet-style house

The main features of the chalet style:

stone foundation;
wooden walls;

Modern chalet houses are significantly different from the old Alpine buildings. Primarily, large rooms, the presence of entertainment areas in the room, communications. Secondly, building material. Chalet style involves a combination various kinds material.

Features a chalet house gable roof with high protrusions. This helps to protect the house and its walls from moisture. The roof is covered with tiles and decorated with wood. The plinth is built of stone. The walls are plastered and decorated with aged wood. With the help of wood, you can make a variety of and unusual elements on the building. The house should have many windows, a balcony, a veranda and an attic floor.

It will bring you closer to nature, will always attract the attention of others, and also give you warmth and comfort.

Fachwerk style imitation: pros and cons

Last fashion trend in the design of residential buildings are the facades of houses in the style of half-timbered houses. This style is in stock or imitation wooden beams. Lay them vertically, horizontally and diagonally. Construction is very expensive. To save money, you can use the services of a designer and imitate the style.

Features of the facade of houses in a classic style

Using modern lightweight building materials, which are distinguished by both reliability and practicality, it is possible to finish the facade of the house without any problems. classical style. The building will have an attractive appearance, and finishing material will not weigh it down and overload it. Facades close to the classics have been relevant for many years for both residential and non-residential buildings. Such houses fit very neatly into the overall architecture of the city and attract attention.

The facade of the house, made in a classic style

The following elements distinguish the classic style from a number of others:

columns;
stone carving;
natural marble, granite and travertine;
various ornaments, sculptures, cornices.

In the classical style, it is important that the design of the house is in harmony with the landscape of the territory, and stone plays a leading role here.

French country or Provence - which is better?

It is known that Provence is a kind of country music. True, some designers find them completely different. You can distinguish them by some features. Facades of country-style houses have warmer tones. Cold shades and white color are not characteristic of this style. But in the Provence style, cold colors or rich bright colors are used. White color occupies the main position here.

Country house facade

As for the surface, it is different brickwork that may protrude slightly from the wall. Mosaic and terracotta surface gives a special charm. They decorate the facade from wood, painting it in color Ivory. In country, things are different. There is a layering of colors and textures. Masonry and use natural wood are the highlight of this style.

Provence style house

It is not worth choosing which is better - country or Provence, since both styles are distinguished by originality, sophistication, simplicity and naturalness.

Baroque

The baroque facade of the house stands out from the rest. Such houses look like real palaces. Baroque is characterized by contrast, dynamism of images, the desire for luxury and grandeur. Houses have magnificent forms and spatial scale. The structures are represented by large-scale colonnades, pilasters, complex domes, which are covered with either gilding or neutral paint. Often the domes are multi-tiered.

It gives the house grandeur. Color contrast plays an important role. Concave and curved wall surfaces decorate the building. The carvings on the columns and on the walls themselves add nobility and originality to the façade.

Baroque house facade

Baroque is characterized by gold, silver and white shades. Marble, copper, wood are used as building materials. Mosaics have a special place here.

Unusual facades in the Art Nouveau style

If you prefer everything unusual, you can decorate your home in Art Nouveau style. The facade of the Art Nouveau house is characteristic of outrageous people and those who like to be in the spotlight. In the design of your building, you can embody a variety of desires and dreams. It is not necessary to plan the design during construction, the house can easily be converted already into it. finished version. To do this, you just need some building materials and your imagination.

Modern house facade

Basically, the lines of the Art Nouveau house are smooth and soft, there are no rough decorations and inappropriate details. Everything is in harmony with the general stop at home. The shade of the materials should be discreet, but close to the natural tone. Permissible interspersed with variegated shades. Distinctive features of high-tech style

The facade of the house in high-tech style stands out from the rest with its extraordinary architectural solution. It is distinguished by ultra-modernity, high technology, industrialism, demonstrativeness and innovation. During the construction or decoration of a house in this style, they use latest materials and technology.

High-tech house

Houses are built in the form of squares or rectangles. Large windows and glass doors occupy the main place here. As for color, he prefers light tones. Protruding pipes, a large open balcony - all this brings its own flavor. This style is very well suited to creative and independent people who love everything unusual and modern.

Fashionable English style

The elegance of the English style lies in its special design, which has sophisticated and refined forms. At first glance, such buildings seem luxurious and noble. The facade of the house in the English style has its own special features that are unique to it:

brickwork;
small columns;
a minimum of drawings and carvings;
restrained tones;
straight walls;
small porch;
windows divided into several sections;

English style house

In such a house, everyone will feel like an Englishman. This building will not differ much from the rest of the houses, but will attract attention with architectural accuracy and purity of its design. suitable for those who do not like newfangled trends in the design and construction of suburban housing, but prefer traditional solutions.

If you are looking for a light and easy style to decorate, then this is German.

It is chosen by many people, as it differs from all others in that it is simple and practical.

In this article, you will learn how to decorate your home in the German style simply, but at the same time with designer taste.

Kitchen decoration

The kitchen room is the place where mostly women spend a lot of time. For the same reason, there should be everything that will make it more comfortable and cozy.

For the German style, cheap and impractical furniture and clutter are not appropriate, everything should be in its place. Furniture is best chosen from durable and natural materials that will have high functionality.

A special characteristic is light walls and floors, glossy coatings. As for the curtains, it is better to choose them not dark and those that will let in daylight. Tulle can be used if desired. On the ceiling, you can attach one not very large chandelier or several small LED lamps.

Strict and no less modern should look Appliances for kitchen.

If possible, build large appliances into kitchen cabinets. For decoration, choose fresh flowers, good option will be putting them in pots.

German style in the design of the living room

The living room is one of the most important rooms of the house, so it should be decorated carefully and, of course, tastefully.

Use only natural materials- a table with a glass top and wooden legs, as well as wooden cabinet. Here the walls will also be light, but the floor should not be very dark, you can put a laminate on it.

The living room will be cozy and spacious if you decorate it with large quantity furniture. It can only be a sofa or a few chairs, not a large table and wardrobe.

You can decorate the room with different items. It can be like family photos on the walls, or large vases on the floor. Small decorative pillows can be placed on the sofa.

As above, no need to hang heavy curtains that won't let light through. A simple and transparent tulle will suffice. Choose a tablecloth to decorate the table light tone.

When decorating German-style apartments, it is worth saying that the living rooms there are often somewhere in the middle of the room itself.

For this reason, daylight may not be enough for full illumination. In this case, you can choose a sconce attached to the ceiling. Small spotlights will lose a bit of the German style vibe, so choosing them is not recommended.

Bedroom style

We also spend a lot of time in the bedroom - rest, enjoying sleep. As in other rooms, extra furniture that does not have any functionality is not appropriate here.

Furniture, in the German style of the bedroom, should be chosen only from durable and natural materials.

In the bedroom, it is enough to have a spacious bed, a small chest of drawers for linen, cabinets near the bed. You can also place a dressing table and a chair.

This room should be bright, so choose pastel shades of wallpaper, white ceiling, delicate light furniture and laminate flooring, also light.

In the bedroom, add a picture on the wall, which will depict a landscape of nature. The window can be decorated with transparent tulle.

Attach either a chandelier or several to the ceiling spotlights. Near the bed, on the bedside tables, you can also place lamps. Place small soft rugs on the floor for comfort.

How to design a bathroom

When designing a bathroom, keep in mind that there should not be too many shelves and cabinets. Sanitary equipment choose simple, no extra decoration.

For the decoration of walls and floors, non-dark tiles are used. bathroom design interior design in german style should not be rebooted colors, maximum three colors.

If you have chosen the German style for decorating your home, you will definitely feel comfort, freedom and coziness.

Photo of the German style in the interior

German quality is valued in all areas of activity, including in private housing construction. Traditional designs of German houses are distinguished by practicality, quality and multifunctional layouts. High level quality and attention to detail is manifested in everything - from the choice of building materials to planning solutions. The German design of private houses in many projects has the shape of a cube, and exterior finish at home is done in light color palettes.

Characteristic features of the design of German houses

In the design of the exterior, you can always notice the presence of bay windows, a balcony, wooden decor, as well as real flowers planted in pots or decorative containers. In such houses window blocks have a classic rectangular or arched shape, sometimes with massive frames or shutters. The basement of the house, as a rule, is faced with porcelain stoneware or natural stone. German houses, most often, are found in an attic or two-story version with a gable roof. The roof is predominantly covered with red tiles.

One of the most popular German styles is fachwerk. All projects of houses in the German half-timbered style are built from wooden beams with slopes at different angles. The distance between the beams is filled with aerated concrete, glass or white brick with insulation. An interesting feature fachwerk is a panoramic glazing that looks very stylish and respectable. Regardless of the architectural style, all German houses have a standard layout concept and the following common features:

Attic floor with gable roof;

Rectangular shape;

The presence of a garage or shed;

Thanks to design features, in an attic house, the space under the roof slopes does not disappear.

In some projects, a basement is equipped for domestic needs or a workshop.

Everyone knows the practicality of the Germans and their rational approach to all things. This feature also affects the design of private houses. Many projects of German houses, instead of a garage, provide a simple and open area for parking a car. Despite the exoticism of German projects, in recent years, they are increasingly found in suburban construction.

Typical projects German houses are impeccable in terms of rationality and ergonomics, as they imply the maximum beneficial use residential and utility rooms. In many layouts, the number of walls and partitions is reduced to a minimum. The ground floor usually houses the kitchen and dining room, which is a central gathering place for the whole family. On the second floor there are bedrooms and other rooms necessary for relaxation.

Exterior decoration of the house in the German style

Finishing work outside the house involves the processing of finished wooden or plastered walls. Some German-style projects are developed with a facade that is divided into several equal segments using a rigid frame. The resulting cells are filled with special materials. In order to protect the foundation of the house from the negative impact external factors, the basement of German houses is finished with high-strength materials such as artificial or natural stone. Such original design facade gives the house an attractive and extraordinary appearance.

For home decoration, often used wide boards, which are fixed to the plastered walls with self-tapping screws. As a material for the construction of classic German houses, architects most often choose dark wood, which is treated with paints and varnishes in order to protect the wood from moisture. Properly selected paint and varnish composition not only protects the tree from adverse factors, but also gives it a noble sheen, effectively emphasizing the structure of the pattern of internal fibers.

New designs of German houses combine ancient German traditions and high-tech materials. Because of this, houses in German designs, with Gothic architectural elements, are very popular in the field of private housing construction. The special architecture of German houses does not allow them to be confused with houses made in other styles. With us, the German fachwerk style, which is distinguished by an interesting shape of the roof and the predominance of wood in finishing, has received the widest distribution.

You can choose a project of a German house.

To order construction of turnkey houses in Krasnodar and Krasnodar Territory can .

Since ancient times, German architecture has been famous for its beauty and practicality. As in other countries, it has come a long way from Romanesque and gothic style to high-tech, from castles and half-timbered buildings to ultra modern buildings. Due to its solidity and economy, German architecture has become the epitome of high quality and rationality. Some elements ancient houses- for example, fachwerk - is still used in the construction of modern buildings. And university students study the works of the famous German designer Ernst Neufert and follow in their work the standards and patterns he found.

House with imitation fachwerk on the facade

The 20th century was a turning point in the history of Germany in general, and in particular in design and architecture, marking a consistent departure from the classics. With the advent of the Bauhaus school in the 1920s, modernism gradually supplanted the rest. architectural styles. The architects abandoned the ornament on the facades, simplified the shape of the buildings, subordinating it to the function. These principles were also reflected in post-war architecture, when designers deliberately avoided any historical analogies and preferred to create "from scratch". The practicality of the building and its efficiency, both during construction and during operation, came to the fore. Architects are actively exploring new materials and technologies to improve energy efficiency and manage the home with ease. In recent decades, projects of "smart" houses with the use of automation and computer technology have been increasingly developed.

The architecture of a private house combines traditional and modern elements: simple form buildings and gable roof appeared in a new interpretation, and zinc roofing, which has long been known in construction, has spread to the entire surface of the house. Klaus Schlossen Architekten

1. Distinctive features of the German house

Private architecture in Germany is quite diverse. As in Russia, here you can find both ultra-modern buildings and quite traditional buildings. In addition, many cities with old houses have been preserved throughout the country, which were reconstructed in connection with the new realities of life. If we talk about newly built buildings, then most of them are being built according to standard designs.

Many residents of Germany live in individual cottages in small towns, and go to work in the nearest metropolis. There are both single-family houses (Einfamilienhaus) and duplexes (Zweifamilienhaus). Having studied the German catalogs of private houses for the middle class, we can note general principles designing modern suburban housing in Germany. Practicality, economy, rationality - these features that distinguish the entire German architecture as a whole underlie each private project. This approach is manifested both in planning and facade solutions.

The structure of the German house is simple and concise. No frills, no impractical and economically unjustified decorations and architectural elements:

The shape of the houses is close to a square; additional volumes are often attached to it. This can be an entrance group that forms a balcony on the second floor, or a garage attached to the house or connected to it by a covered terrace;

The building consists of two floors, or one floor with an attic;

The roof is most often gable (sometimes four-slope);

There are no turrets in the architecture of the house, but there are bay windows and balconies.

The plan of the building forms a rectangle. It is complemented by volume entrance group serving as a balcony on the second floor. Kampa

The project from the "ABC of Construction". Architect Alexey Kilevnik.

The style of a modern house relies heavily on the principles inherent in functionalism and minimalism. Unlike traditional German half-timbered architecture, functionalism implies a complete absence of rigid canons and the use of new possibilities of modern building materials. The main attention is paid to the function of this or that element. The form is determined by the function, and the facade is determined by the form.

Similar principles are declared in minimalism. Buildings in this style are usually built according to individual projects, and are more expressive. Ease of execution, lack of decor and embellishments, natural materials in the decoration, a single color scheme, simple geometric shapes - these are features style. Special attention given to the effects associated with natural light. Therefore, cottages in this style are characterized by the presence of windows on the entire wall and flat roofs with glass pieces.

All this is reflected in the facade solutions of German houses, among which common features can be distinguished:

- balconies, terraces, awnings, large roof extensions, which provide a variety of facade solutions that give the building individuality;

The additional volume of the loggia gives expressiveness to a building that is simple in form. Juretzka Architekten

- large areas glazing, corner and panoramic windows, double glazing;

The large glass area makes a typical country house prominent representative of modern private architecture. Landau+Kindelbacher

Lack of decor on the facade;

The use of large undivided planes of a homogeneous material or one color;

Light textured plaster and black wooden planken form an expressive contrast. Drevohaus

Space-planning solutions correspond to the structure of the house and are built according to general principles:

The living room and dining room, as a rule, are combined into a single space;

The kitchen is most often not isolated by solid partitions, but is separated from the common space by a piece of furniture (bar counter, shelving) or a decorative wall. The absence of partitions and corridors, the combination of several functional areas in one space creates a feeling of spaciousness, saves usable area. As a result, prerequisites for interesting interior solutions arise;

A single space of the kitchen-living room in the interior. Landau+Kindelbacher

The total area of the three main functional areas of the main room (living room + dining room + kitchen) is approximately 40-70 m2;

The entrance block is separated by partitions (entrance hall, toilet, wardrobe, stairs);

Plan of the first floor in a typical house. Kampa

The apparent dryness of rectangular spaces is often enriched with rectangular bay windows - both on one floor and double-height;

On the second floor there are traditionally private apartments (bedrooms, office, bathroom, wardrobe);

All rooms are separated by partitions, most often of a broken shape, for the functional arrangement of furniture, equipment and more efficient use of space;

In the layout of the building you can find everything character traits German home. Most The first floor is occupied by the combined space of the kitchen, dining room and living room. A single-flight staircase leads to the second floor. complex shape bedrooms and bathroom allows you to divide the premises into functional areas. Drevohaus

To move between floors, a single-flight staircase is often used, and a spacious illuminated staircase hall is arranged on the second floor.

A single-flight staircase leads to a lighted hall on the second floor. Klaus Schlossen Architekten

2. Building a house according to a German project

German practicality and rationality often attract future homeowners from Russia. Simple and discreet, and at the same time very functional, German-style houses are very popular. How promising foreign projects are and how they take root on Russian soil is clearly demonstrated by the history of the construction of the “German” house by the Azbuka Stroitelstva company.

House project

The project of a cottage with a total area of 219 m2, created by a German architectural and construction bureau, interested our potential customer. In 2009, he took photographs of the exterior and interior of an exhibition model in Germany and turned to ABC Construction with a request to develop an AR (architectural section) and a KR (constructive section) and subsequently build a house according to this project.

Having studied the photographic materials, our specialists analyzed the architectural and space-planning solutions of the cottage, which the customer liked so much. Rectangular in plan, the cottage is crowned with a traditional gable hip roof. Symmetrical facades attract with their purity and clarity. The French windows of the first and second floors lined up in one line give lightness to the end facades with hip gables. On the second floor, the windows are decorated with a metal balcony railing.

Exhibition sample of a German house. Corner rustications in the color of white frontal boards, window and door frames make the facades festive and elegant.

The "visiting card" of the project is two symmetrically located volumes that adjoin the rear facade and together create a U-shaped composition. This is a glazed room. winter garden, combined with the living room, and a covered terrace, access to which is designed from the dining room. With their proportions and the shape of the roof, the extensions repeat the canopy over the porch of the main entrance and form a small patio between them - an isolated cozy space for family vacation open air.

hallmark planning decision cottage is a light translucent staircase located in the center of the house. This planning "highlight" attracted the attention of the customer.

As the main compositional dominant, the staircase conditionally builds the boundaries of the main functional areas: the hall, kitchen, dining room, living room, while providing a view of the entire space. Thanks to light and openwork structures and a wide stair hatch, the hall on the second floor is clearly visible and becomes part of the overall volume, visually expanding it.

An openwork staircase located in the center of the building provides a through view of the entire front space.

As planned by the designers, the staircase does not adjoin load-bearing structures and building partitions. Like a sculpture, it can be freely walked around from all sides. Thus, the functional object has turned into a kind of core of the house, around which life processes revolve in the literal and figurative sense.

Lightness, airiness and additional volume to the double-height space of the living room give five window openings cut into the truncated roof gable. These windows also illuminate the staircase hall on the second floor. Such a detail makes the interior more diverse, and the facade of the building - rich and interesting.

The second floor is attic, but due to the sufficient height of the walls to the roof slope, the space is cozy and functional. The living quarters and bathrooms are equipped with sloped skylights, which not only saturate the space with daylight, but also noticeably enliven the interior.

Skylights make the space on the second floor bright and cozy.

Construction history

By different reasons The "German" project was not implemented. But photographs of the cottage attracted another of our customers. These design solutions almost fully met his requirements and wishes for the organization of the internal space, the composition of the premises and the architecture of the building.

However, the customer wished to make some changes to the design and layout of the building in order to adapt the project to his needs, Russian climatic conditions and the existing building materials market. The construction process was preceded by the design stage, as a result of which the house underwent a number of changes.

The cold climate required a warm vestibule, which turned into a covered terrace of the main entrance. For the same reason, stained-glass glazing of the winter garden was abandoned, replacing it with walls with a large window opening. To increase the living space, I had to abandon the second light in the living room. In its place, an office appeared in the attic. For better lighting five windows were combined into a continuous tape block.

Ribbon attic windows provide good insolation to the office.

The terrace adjoining the dining room also became warm. A home theater was set up in this room. At the request of the customer, in place of the living room on the first floor, our specialists designed a rest room with a steam room, a shower room and a bathroom. A small redevelopment also affected the group of technical premises.

Standard windows with a window sill height of 0.9 m instead of French ones - from floor to ceiling - helped to improve the heat engineering of the house, which is important in winter period. On the second floor, the height of the windows remained the same, but here they arranged a balcony with wooden fencing and exit from two rooms. A ventilation unit lined with stone appeared on the facade of the house - it runs in the outer wall of the technical room.

The end facade of the house has undergone changes: on the first floor, the height of the windows has decreased, and a balcony has appeared on the second.

For economic reasons and aesthetic preferences of the customer, our architects have shifted the decorative accents in the exterior of the house. Snow-white rustication and architraves were abandoned, and the expensive dark front brick of the outer walls was replaced with light-colored brick. However, to maintain contrast window frames, frontal boards and drainage systems were made in dark colors. For more reliable operation of the roof with a large number of valleys and ribs, it was decided to replace metal tiles with bituminous tiles.

Despite all these changes, our designers have kept artistic image cottage, space-planning structure and, of course, main feature interior space - a sculptural staircase in the very center of the house. The construction of the building under this project was carried out by our company in 2010.

The end facade of the house has undergone changes: on the first floor, the height of the windows has decreased, and a balcony has appeared on the second.

Currently, we are actively cooperating with the German architectural and construction bureau Anke Disterheft. Leading specialists and management of Azbuka Stroitelstva often visit Germany, where they exchange experience with German colleagues, improve their skills, study new technologies and materials in construction.

We have accumulated a large number of ideas for the design and construction of country houses based on German standards and technologies. There is a lot of original literature on German architecture in our office. If you are interested in the material of this article, we are always waiting for you in the ABC of Construction.