On a plot in Munich previously occupied by a single-storey building, two new residential houses are being developed with a clear, contemporary architectural language and a strong ecological focus. A compact main building accommodates six efficiently organized, well-lit apartments, while a smaller second house with two units is oriented generously toward the garden, offering a particularly high-quality living environment. All required parking spaces, bicycle storage, waste areas, and a sheltered children's playground are functionally integrated into the open space concept.

The buildings are designed as an Efficiency House 55 project with an optimized thermal bridge concept, reaching a carbon footprint of approximately 24 kg CO₂e /(m² GFA · a), corresponding to the upper benchmark range of the QNG-PLUS standard. Heating and hot water are provided by air-to-water heat pumps with solar thermal support, supplemented by a photovoltaic system on suitable roof areas for electricity generation. A highly insulated building envelope with wood-fiber insulation, triple-glazed wood-aluminum windows, and carefully minimized thermal bridges ensures low energy consumption and high thermal comfort throughout the year.

Structurally, the new buildings rely on load-bearing exterior and interior walls made of clay blocks (hollow bricks), combined with substantial wood-fiber insulation and a ventilated timber façade. Clay materials, with their moisture-regulating and heat-storing properties, create a balanced indoor climate, excellent sound insulation, and improved summer comfort. In addition, recycled foam glass insulation is used for components in contact with the ground and flat roofs. This material is permanently moisture-resistant and contributes to resource efficiency.

The façade is clad with locally sourced alpine larch, whose natural greying is evenly supported and controlled by a special glaze. Carefully selected, technically dried timber boards and thoroughly ventilated substructures ensure durability and a lively appearance. Continuous window bands with wood-aluminum elements—natural oak on the inside, aluminum on the outside—with integrated shading and differentiated solar protection solutions characterize the buildings’ facades and create bright, calm living spaces that meet current standards for acoustic performance and accessibility.

Sustainability within the Project

From a construction perspective, the new buildings rely on load-bearing exterior and interior walls made of unfired clay blocks in vertically perforated brick format, combined with thick wood-fiber insulation and a ventilated timber façade. Due to their moisture-regulating and heat-storing properties, clay-based building materials contribute to a balanced indoor climate, effective sound insulation, and improved summer thermal protection. In addition, foam glass insulation made from recycled glass is used in below-ground components and flat roofs. The material is permanently moisture-resistant and contributes to resource conservation.

The façade is clad in locally sourced mountain larch, whose natural weathering process is guided and evenly supported by a special glaze. Carefully selected kiln-dried timber boards and a precisely ventilated substructure ensure durability and a vibrant appearance. Continuous window bands with timber-aluminum elements — light oak on the interior and aluminum on the exterior — featuring integrated shading and differentiated sun protection solutions, define the architectural appearance while creating bright and calm living spaces that meet current standards for sound insulation and accessibility.