The Berger family's house is a sharp-edged cube abutting woodland above the Baden-Württemberg community of Baiertal. Characteristic of the clean-lined construction concept is the overlapping of two structures, with the section pointing south-west housing the accommodation and the diametrically opposed complex being used for ancillary rooms and lodgings.

Karlsruhe architect Thomas Fabrinsky built a large rooflight into the overlapping area that supplies the staircase situated there with bright daylight. The Bergers' house is fitted with large-format windows that make for bright interiors as well as affording splendid views of the area around the enchanting hillside plot and the adjoining woods.

Fabrinsky prefers materials and finishes such as timber, natural stone or steel for his building ventures, and allows them to age naturally. The materials and objects used for the luxurious house were selected together with the client. Surfaces have been consistently finished in either black or white. The two sections of the Bergers' house have accordingly been chromatically offset from each other. The windows have black frames that contrast sharply with the white surfaces without being in any way over-conspicuous. The house, therefore, is a fascinating architectural composition in two senses, i.e. in terms of both form and colour. The building's interiors likewise adhere to the pared-down principle. White wall surfaces reflect daylight entering through the many large windows to make the spaces appear even bigger. The few items of furniture, custom-made by a carpenter, are in white, thus further heightening the great sense of expansive openness inside.

The FSB products selected are, in Fabrinsky's words, "a small part of the whole" that impress with their unobtrusive classic elegance and subordinate themselves to the overall design concept. Use has been made of FSB 6609 99 door pulls of customised length and diameter, the FSB 1076 lever handle dubbed the "Frankfurt Model", the FSB 3476 window handle, FSB 1735 0054 indicating furniture, doorknob 2329 06, door stop 3646 and pull bar 6801 with FSB 6715 brackets. In line with his predilection for naturally ageing finishes, Fabrinsky opted for Stainless Steel. He sees the FSB products selected as embodying timelessness, modernity, heritage and elegance.

Photos: Klemens Ortmeyer, Braunschweig