Charred Wood and Concrete Unite to Form a Chalet–Inspired Home
Perched high in the German alpine region of Allgäu, Haus P is a striking holiday home designed by Stuttgart–based duo Benedikt Bosch and Katja Knaus of Yonder — Architektur und Design. Serving as a rural vacation retreat for a family of seven from Hamburg, the 2,680-square-foot house was inspired by traditional Allgäu chalet-style homes, yet adapted into a unique, contemporary form.
Concrete and wood create a two-toned exterior.
The modern residence rests on a gentle slope and is clad in charred wooden siding, which gives its façade a natural, weathered appearance.
The garden "basement" level houses two guest rooms, a sauna, and a bathroom.
From the garden level, a staircase leads up to the protected courtyard where the entrance door is located.
Along the slanted rear façade, cantilevering stairs provides access to the main entrance, which is located on one side of the courtyard.
The entrance to the house.
"Haus P’s geometry was generated by maximizing the property’s allowable building envelope," says Bosch, who took the shape of a classic chalet-style house with a shallow gabled roof and a full lower level and sliced away an oblique section from its center axis.
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The open-plan living area looks out to stunning alpine views.
A peek at the contemporary, white kitchen.
Stairs lead up to loft on the upper level.
"From one building emerges two: a house and a storage shed. The space between offers the family a protected courtyard for outdoor activities," explains Bosch.
The interiors are kept pure and simple.
Wood floors and stairs, along with a wooden dining table, give the interiors a warm, cozy feel.
Wood—a commonly selected building material throughout the region—was used to construct the home's structural framework, as well as its charred timber shell.
In the living area is a modern, minimalistic concrete fireplace.
The open-plan communal spaces—the kitchen, living, and dining areas—are located within the double-height ground level, where a picture window frames stunning mountain views.
A built-in bench along the stairs offers a quiet spot for reflection.
The charred siding gives the house a cool, dark-grey color, while also providing natural, eco-friendly weather protection.
The staircase beautifully blends in with the wooden walls, floors, and ceilings.
Core-insulated exposed concrete used for the foundations of the house’s basement level contrasts with the dark wood-siding beautifully, and provides a solid plinth for the timber structure above it.
One of the basement bedrooms.
A sleeping space in the upper-level loft.
The canted shape of the building creates beautiful, commodious interior spaces with high ceilings.
A flight of stairs leads up from the main living area to the upper-level loft, which serves as an idyllic spot for reading or star-gazing through the picture windows that frame sky views.
A sauna and bathroom are located in the basement.
The warm aesthetic from the wooden surfaces continue into the bathroom.
Project Credits:
Architecture, interior, cabinetry, and lighting design: Yonder – Architektur und Design
Builder: Holzbau Forster GmbH
Structural engineering: Str.ucture GmbH
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