Villa M by GRAFT

GRAFT’s design for a private villa in Berlin’s venerable Grunewald quarter presents a striking, modern interpretation of comfortable living in the city. It’s trapezoidal, sculptural form and modern architectural language symbolizes a boulder in a glacial landscape and differentiates it from its neighbours.

Image © Tobias Hein

Architect: GRAFT
Location: Berlin-Grunewald, Germany
Year: 2017
GFA: 870 m2
NIA: 730 m2
Living space: 530 m2
Founding Partners: Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz, Thomas Willemeit
Project Designer: Marvin Bratke, Marc Friedhoff
Project Lead: Konstantin Buhr, Nils von Minckwitz
Project Team: Aleksandra Zajko, Allison Weiler, Anna Wittwer, Dorothea von Rotberg, Frank Petters
Structural and Technical Planning: Buro Happold, Berlin
Landscape Architect: kre_ta, Berlin
Building Physics: Müller BBM, Berlin
Fire Safety: HHP, Berlin
CDM Co-ordinator: iabu – Prenzel & Partner, Berlin
Gauger: Bartels Vermessung, Berlin

Image © Tobias Hein

From the architect: The distinctive, three-dimensional figure of the four-storey building appears to rise out of the ground. For its design, GRAFT abstracted the classical rules of villa design and digitally synthesized them with natural phenomena shifting the tectonics of a villa towards those of a sculpture.

Image © Tobias Hein

The façade is clad with ceramic plates that reinforce the impression of a large stone boulder. Horizontal incisions in the faceted surface of the façade for the loggias and floor-to-ceiling glazing are strategically placed to establish visual connections with the surrounding greenery while maintaining privacy. This asymmetrical appearance is reflected in the interiors where flowing transitions between the rooms create a sense of openness. The internal stairs and fireplace, in particular, break with residential design conventions. The centerpiece of the house is the living room, a prismatic, spacious open space designed for maximum comfort.

Image © Tobias Hein

Aside from the kitchen and the living room, there are two additional rooms on the ground floor, a master bedroom on the upper floor as well as a large corridor, terrace and four further rooms. The top floor is a self-contained flat that can be used flexibly. The entrance, double garage, storage spaces and a spa are located on the lower ground floor. Travertine stone flooring also reinforces associations with a boulder.

Image © Tobias Hein

The floor plans are designed to be flexible, so that they can adapt to the residents’ changing life situations. Floors can be separated off into self-contained apartments, accessed via the outer staircase. The materials were chosen for durability and recyclability and heat is provided by a geothermal system. The orientation of the building is optimized for energy efficiency and the building’s energy performance exceeds the current energy conservation legislation demands.

Image © Tobias Hein

Image © Tobias Hein

Image © Tobias Hein

Image © Tobias Hein

Image © Tobias Hein

Image © Tobias Hein

Image © Frank Herfort

Image © Frank Herfort

Image © Frank Herfort

Image © Frank Herfort

Image © Frank Herfort

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