A '3 room apartment' for a father and son

Martin Boden-Peroche from CODE UNIQUE Architekten planned and built a house for himself and his son in a listed garden in Dresden. The client's vision was a modest home that met the requirements of his small family and offered enough space for eating, relaxing, well-being as well as celebrating with visitors. The result is this '3 room apartment' which consists of just a master bedroom, a child's bedroom and a large connecting living area. Functional ancillary areas fulfil all the requirements of the household and offer space for diverse hobbies and activities. The house is also completely barrier-free.

Floor-to-ceiling glazing for maximum transparency

Apart from two flat, externally flush-fitted fixed glazing units, the entire façade is glazed from floor to ceiling. The Schüco ASE 67 PD sliding system was used with its optional level threshold to guarantee a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors. Together with the outer frame concealed in the building structure and the narrow profiles, a wide variety of sliding systems create architectural spaces flooded with light that offer maximum transparency.

Martin Boden-Peroche is an architect and managing director. Together with Volker Giezek and Peter Jarisch, he runs the Dresden-based architecture firm CODE UNIQUE. The firm is characterised by its functional, contemporary and technically advanced architecture. In the realisation of his own residential building, his focus was on transparency and minimalism.

You have designed and built your house within a conservation area in Dresden. How would you describe your home?

MBP: I would describe it as clear, straight and honest due to its materials, such as concrete, wood and glass. The newbuild maintains a low profile in the conservation area and, as a flat

pavilion clad in carbonised black wood, allows the old trees to shine.

What are the characteristic features of the building?
MBP: It's a reinforced concrete construction, which is almost completely closed on the north side and nestled into the slope. A fully glazed façade opens up the house to the south. Inside, the

building has been designed as an exposed concrete construction throughout.

As a result, the exposed concrete walls will not require any other coating throughout their life. The only contrast is created by solid oak floorboards, which have been extended out onto the terrace using bamboo wood.

Minimalism plays a key role then?

MBP: That's right. It's evident in the minimalist architecture here, which radiates a sense of tranquility both inside and out, as well as in the modest number of “raw” and genuine materials. This is also complemented by the functional interior design, which replaces a lot of loose furniture, and a single window format with floor-to-ceiling glazing. For me, this is what minimalism is all about.

Why were Schüco Panorama Design sliding doors the best solution to realise your concept?

MBP: My aim was to design the fully glazed façade to be as transparent and minimalist profiles. That's why the technology won me over – the fact that the profile face widths are completely hidden in the ceiling and floor and the fixed fields and opening vent are separated by a very narrow interlock section. The sliding systems meet all of the targets in terms of design and energy efficiency, and provide barrier-free access throughout.

How do you feel living inside such a transparent house?

MBP: I feel safe and protected despite the floor-to-ceiling glazing. With the closed side behind me, there's a beautiful panoramic view in front. I can watch the forest animals and am part of this small living environment. And yet I feel safe in this house, in my exposed concrete building, which surrounds me and keeps me warm in winter.