Reflecting Cube / Helwig Haus + Raum Planungs GmbH

Architects: Helwig Haus + Raum Planungs GmbH
Location: Weinheim, Germany
Project Team: Angie Pavic, Martina Inhofer, Madeleine Mentenich, Dirk Helwig
Landscape Architect: Nicole Freitag, Mannheim
Photographs: Kristof Lemp

Project Area: 255.1 sqm
Structure Planning: Fischer & Weisbrod, Osthofen
Lighting Design: Axel Vock, Heppenheim; Dirk Helwig
Energy Planning: Solar+Mobil, Lorsch

This one-family house is build on a northern, comparatively dark valley side. The property in slope position has got a bedrock. The architectural design takes up this gegraphical references.

On a recessed natural stone base abuts a cube made of shining aluminium rib mesh. Four corner glazings were cut into this cube. Two of them create a visual connection tot he middle-age ruin Windeck. The other ones enable the view down to the valley and catch the morning sun. The daylight is broken by the aluminium rib mesh several times. In this way, the house plays with the light.

The entry, an office and the garage are located in the semi-basement. The living area in the top level opens up to the terrace and the edge of the forest with a big window.

The topic of renewable energy resources is becoming more and more important. Because of this, the architect decided to use a geothermal heat pump and a controlled living room ventilation with ground heat exchangers.