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INSIGHTS SITE LINES Redefi ning modular timber
Designer Nick Blunt of WeberHaus highlights how a demonstration project in Germany was created with an aim to “redefi ne prefabricated timber frame construction,” harnessing contractor-builder collaboration for innovative results.
Images © WeberHaus UK W
hen tasked with designing Villa Blunt, the ambition was clear: to create a striking prefabricated timber frame house that challenges conventional notions of modular
construction. Situated at the WeberHaus World of Living campus in Rheinau, Germany, the project exemplifi es how innovative design, sustainability, and practicality can coexist, and offers inspiration for architects and selfbuilders alike.
Reimagining prefabrication
Prefabrication often brings to mind images of uniformity, repetition, and creative restrictions. However, Villa Blunt set out to reimagine the possibilities of modular construction, blending aesthetic ambition with the effi ciency of standardised processes. The project was a collaboration between WeberHaus and interior design studio GEPLAN DESIGN. This partnership ensured that the interior and exterior design felt like an integrated whole, avoiding the common pitfall of disjointed elements.
By leveraging modular construction systems, the project demonstrated that creative vision need not be constrained by the available budget or by off-the-shelf materials. The villa is proof that standardised prefabrication can deliver a unique and architecturally ambitious home without excessive complexity.
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Grounded design, elevated vision Villa Blunt’s most distinctive feature is its unusual proportions at 25 metres long and just 9 metres deep. This elongated footprint was carefully chosen to maximise light and space, with dual-sided windows fl ooding the interiors with natural light. The design celebrates openness and clarity, creating a bright and dynamic living environment that resonates with modern lifestyles. Vertical wooden rods on the upper facade serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. They rhythmically break up the building’s length while providing sun protection and privacy. The interplay of vertical and horizontal elements gives the villa its striking, balanced visual identity. To create the illusion of the fi rst fl oor ‘fl oating’ above the ground
fl oor, the design team incorporated clerestory windows into the ground-fl oor wall panels. This feature not only enhances the villa’s visual lightness, but also helps ground it with natural stone cladding, creating a harmonious balance between weight and lightness. One of the project’s practical challenges was integrating solar shading without compromising the villa’s clean lines. The solution involved raising the ground fl oor slightly and concealing external blinds within a false ceiling in the fi rst-fl oor overhang. This approach preserved the design’s simplicity while delivering effective
ADF FEBRUARY 2025
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