By Michael Sauerbier
Weird idea or ingenious throw? Berliners David (42) and Julia Klemme (35) built their family home in a corrugated iron hall. The award-winning “Anti-Country House” is located in a Brandenburg village.
The 832 residents of Schmergow could hardly believe their eyes: Between the well-behaved gabled roof houses, cranes built a warehouse in no time at all: concrete foundations, wooden scaffolding, corrugated iron walls, two large barn doors. Only the construction site sign revealed: “A single-family house is being built here.”
The client couple comes from Berlin-Charlottenburg. “We no longer wanted to rent a place in the city,” says IT consultant David, “our house should be flexible and inexpensive, with a large garden in beautiful natural surroundings. We have it all here.”
Architect Markus Rampel (38) built the single-family house in a standard warehouse Photo: Ralf Gunther
Architect Markus Rampel (38, c/o now) had the idea. On Sunday he showed the Hallenhaus to the public for the first time. Rampel: “The hall consists of inexpensive industrial components and protects against rain, wind and frost. The core house does not need insulation and seals.”
The highlight: “We can expand the living space at any time,” says builder David, “from 95 square meters to up to 200. Just with wood and plasterboard walls.” He is currently building a study. At unbeatable costs.
From the eat-in kitchen (in front) and living room (in the back) you can see the large garden through the open hall door Photo: Ralf Gunther
“Each additional square meter costs 200-300 euros,” explains architect Rampel, “normal is 2,500 euros.” Julia Klemme: “We paid 350,000 euros for the house and property. Plus personal contribution.” A third less than a “normal” 5-room house. Your “Anti-Country House” has just received the “Bauwelt Prize”.
The feeling of living: amazing. When the gates are open, the view outside is like any other house. When they are closed, Plexiglas elements let plenty of light into the hall: a colorful garden sprouts under the high roof.
David and Julia do not regret the move: “Only the connection to Berlin could be better.”