Villa F
Location: Titmaringhausen, Sauerland, Germany
Typology: Residential, office, green energy
Client: Joel Frese
Area: 200 m2
Status: Built, 2015
Material: Bricks, natural stone
Collaboration: Local community
One day, a client walked into our office and said, “I would like to have a round house that changes the resource consumption of my whole village.” A round house is an unusual request, but that was precisely the challenge to embrace. Located in Titmaringhausen, Germany, Villa F stands out from its neighboring gabled farmhouses. To integrate the building into the landscape, locally sourced materials were used, including stones from the nearby creek for the exterior cladding. The sloped roofline echoes the surrounding mountainous terrain, while loggias and balconies further enhance the connection with the outdoors.
The house is divided into two floors. The first floor includes an office and technical rooms dedicated to biogas production. The second floor, with a loft-like open layout, houses the living spaces, including a central living room, dining area, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, sauna, and an outdoor loggia with a heated circular pool overlooking the landscape. This design fosters a strong connection to nature, reflecting the client’s agricultural background and environmental values.
The concept of creating a self-powered community took root. The entire village was involved in building the green energy network, contributing ideas and labor, leading to a collective effort that ultimately made the village independent of the global fossil energy market. The impact has been profound. The village’s total energy costs have dropped by more than 50%, while its CO2 footprint has been reduced by 100%. Meanwhile, the neighboring village, Referinghausen, has also joined the green energy network powered by the biogas plant of the client’s family, further expanding the initiative. Villa F’s exemplary ecological design has not only transformed a single household, but has also inspired entire villages to plan and implement its own sustainable heating grid.