The Art of Design Issue 19 2016 | Page 76

THE TIMELESS BEAUTY OF TIMBER Building off-site and employing the natural beauty and unique properties of wood, German firm Stommel Haus creates stylish homes – on time and in budget Stommel Haus’s publicity line “Ein Haus wie ein Baum” roughly translates as “a house like a tree”, but banish any thoughts of rough-hewn, tree-house architecture. The leading German off-site house manufacturer designs and builds bespoke, sophisticated homes to the highest of aesthetic and energy-efficient standards. “The tree reference underlines our focus on wood as a fantastic and sustainable building material,” says Barbara Fischer-Clark, the agent for Stommel Haus in Britain. “We create healthy, contemporary, very energy efficient and, most of all, very beautiful homes. CREATIVE COLLABORATION Translating the dream of a bespoke home from sketch to reality is a collaborative process. It involves clients and Stommel Haus experts working together from the initial briefing until the turn of the key in the front door. “Designing and building a home for someone is a very creative and intimate activity,” says Barbara. “Before we come up with a design, we ask lots of questions such as: ‘Do you have children or elderly relatives?’, ‘Do you need space for a grand piano, a classic car collection or important pieces of art?’ ‘Any muddy paws need cleaning after a walk?’ ” Self-build projects can have a reputation for spiralling costs, however, once contracts have been signed the price is fixed for 12 months. Clients are invited to Stommel Haus’s headquarters near Cologne for a three-day meeting to select all the fittings. Only renowned brands are used, such as Villeroy & Boch, Duravit and Grohe for the bathrooms. “The process is both creative and demanding,” says Barbara, “but it is also great fun.” www.stommel-haus.co.uk The appeal of a Stommel Haus lies not just in its architecture, but also in the tactile, breathable and incredibly durable wooden structure. Using the latest construction technology alongside traditional craftsmanship such as dovetail joints, homes can be built quickly and without the use of toxic chemicals. The houses are made primarily from kiln-dried Arctic Spruce Heartwood from FSC certified forest and built according to the latest DIN standards for timber construction. They maintain air freshness and optimum air humidity, while conforming to the strict energy-saving regulations demanded in Germany. Every week, Stommel Haus performs its magic – the assembly of a new home in around a week – for a client in Germanspeaking Europe, Benelux, the UK and France. “As a small family business, we are proud to be able to offer top-quality homes,” says Barbara, “fitted out to the highest standards, on time and in budget.”