Architecture firm, dmvA, were hired to design an extension to this 580 square foot A-frame house located in Brecht, Germany. Originally built and used as a holiday home, it was deemed unfit for permanent use.
To turn the part-time getaway into a full-time residence, dmvA created a modern addition that would allow the occupants to make full use of the available space.
dmvA had to address three main issues, the first being that the hut was originally a recreational home. Secondly, the owner wanted to be able to work from home. And last but not least, local regulations limited the size of the extension to 290 square feet.
The solution came in the form of a 279 square foot geometric box that was integrated into the existing triangular structure.
The extension acts as an office space, and is open to the main living area, separated only by the angled timber columns. In fact, the only area of the home that’s closed off from other spaces is the bathroom. The majority of the ground floor has been dedicated to the office and living space, with the remainder being divided up between the kitchen, bathroom, and circulation space. The upper floor houses a single bedroom.
The new addition features an uninterrupted glass façade that provides spectacular views of the surrounding forest, and creates a light, spacious interior. The home also contains a outdoor deck, creating an extra “room” where the owner can relax, entertain and cook using a COR-TEN steel pizza oven.
A-frame buildings are renowned for being efficient in terms of material use. This home manages to combine both structural efficiency with aesthetic. Sometimes A-frame buildings don’t look all that appealing, but in this case I think the home sits rather quietly amongst the trees.
For more modern small homes check out the Hood Canal Boathouse, a boathouse that doubles as a weekend getaway. Or, the Fiscavaig House from the Isle of Skye that blends in with the surrounding landscape. See all small houses.
Via Trendir
The A-frame and attached rectangular structure are visually interesting, but at first glance appears as a refrigerator box on its side. I wonder what the look and added space another A-frame addition would have provided instead.
Jose – I wondered about that too, or rather I wondered if any other shape, apart from a box, would have suited as an add-on. At a first it seems a bit jarring (to me anyway) but when you get used to it I think it blends really well with the the original A-frame.
We have an A-Frame Home we would love to add on to but don’t know where to start, any ideas?
Hey Doug, where to start indeed! It depends on what approach you were thinking of taking – are you going to hire a professional to carry out the work on your behalf, or were you thinking of taking on the challenge yourself?
If it’s the first option, I think checking out your local architecture/design firms (or even a good engineer with a bit of a creative flair) is a good place to start. Local professionals have a repertoire of knowledge specific to the immediate area, be it structural design, or what’s going to work aesthetically with the local planning office.
Hola Niall:
We’re thinking of buying an A-frame home (approximately 950 square feet) but immediately adding on to the original home. I like the modern design shown above; however, what do you think about putting another A-frame adjacent to the current home and attaching the two via a corridor or covered patio?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Rick – To be honest it’s not much to go on, but from a high level perspective I don’t see any problem with the idea. They’d be two separate structures with (presumably) separate foundations? Separating the structures could help avoid issues related to differential settlement. That’s about all that comes to mind at the minute!
We built a 220 sq ft addition (Saddlebag style dormer) on the upper loft area of our A-frame. We then removed the roof decking from about 50% of the structure to create the open interior master bedroom and bathroom. It turned out great! Any thoughts on how to hang shelves on the interior bathroom wall that was the original exterior roof line before the addition? The slope looks like this /. I can find lots of ideas for the opposite slope (\), absolutely NOTHING for creating storage and display space for this slope direction/////. Need some creative input, storage is limited and there is approximately 12 feet of sloped vertical storage potential. Any ideas?
Regarding shelves on an angle……. would facing the shelf with a glass front either hinged, or half the height of the display area, allow for the shelf to be more useful…. if the back is open use glass there as well, it might be a bit like an aquarium but can work for some things. I imagine the shelves would provoke a sense of instability. I can see it allowing for light sculptures to make use of the angles and inward movement. Perhaps through colour and mass this can be used for dynamic advantage.
I have a small 950 sq. Ft.ranch style home. I love the idea of an a frame. Is it possible to add or change it to an a frame?