The starting point for the project was a desire for light and open space. The builders wanted to replace their old house on the spacious, green lot with a sustainable alternative, and toyed with the idea of a prefabricated wooden house. However, this was incompatible with local planning guidelines in a protected 1930s area, so the architects developed a counter-proposal. And what a proposal it was! The Push-Pull House is reminiscent of an accordion, with three visual building sections connected by two joints. Two symmetrical two-storey sections contain the bedrooms, guest rooms and study, while the lower, descending third section forms an expansive cooking, dining and living landscape. It is connected to the terrace by floor-to-ceiling glass fronts and is oriented towards the garden to capture the afternoon and evening sun.

In its design, the house combines traditional building materials such as local Chiltern brick for the building’s base with modern, machine-made cross-laminated timber (CLT) made of spruce. This, and its simple form in keeping with the materials, achieved a stylistic approximation to the surrounding area, which is known for its Arts and Crafts architecture – and also pleased the local authorities. In addition to the brick and lime mortar section, black-stained vertical panels also shape its appearance. The slightly curved roof of grey clay tiles seems to float above the high eave windows, which provide views from the bedrooms to the treetops. Another essential element is the almost entirely glazed connecting space between the living area and the main house, which floods the interior with light.

Inside, an open staircase with glass balustrades sits at this point, set into a two-story set of shelves – with ample space for the family’s books and artwork. As with the exterior, the design here is simple and straightforward, the materials as sustainable as they are high-quality. The switches and socket outlets from the Gira Esprit design line made of linoleum multiplex match this concept. The intelligent control of the home and security technology, based on a Gira KNX system, is handled by the Gira pushbutton sensor 3 in combination with the Gira G1 multi-touch display. The result is a new home where its predecessor stood – stylish, inviting and with a playful lightness.