Riehl House in Trier, L
description

This house lies somewhat above the Moselle and is lined by woods on two sides. The area was originally a military site that was given a new function through the Landesgartenschau (regional garden show) 2004. Unfortunately this new development area presents a rather monotonous image – although the development plan would allow good architecture. The design reacts to these surroundings. The house was constructed as a masonry building, rendered in a natural colour using the typical, relatively crude “Schengen plaster” – and at first glance it seems relatively hermetic. It is a compact building but interestingly and sculpturally shaped by asymmetrically folding the external walls at several places. The building makes do without large areas of glazing, giving it almost a defensive character. The relatively “small” windows are therefore very deliberately positioned, in addition there are two terraces: one of them uses the roof and is partly covered, creating an exciting space; the second one, on the garage, is oriented to the southeast, that is towards the woods. A “granny flat” was made in the basement. The main living area is at ground floor level, the bedrooms are on the first floor. The stairs is placed at the centre of the house.
DATA

Client: Riehl family
Start of planning: 2005
Start of construction: 2006
Completion: 2007
Usable floor area: 500 m2
Enclosed volume: 1.800 m3
Outdoor area: 600 m2