A House for an Art Lover

THIS “Haus eines Kunst-freundes” was awarded the first prize by a jury of German architects in a competition organised in Germany. The accommodation shown in the plan was specified in the conditions of the competition, and the complete set of drawings in colour have been published as a portfolio by Herr Alex. Koch, of Darmstadt, who has kindly allowed me to reproduce here, on a small scale, a selection of the illustrations. The form of the plan was suggested by the fact that both on ground floor and first floor the required rooms seemed to divide themselves naturally into a group of four, connected by the central hall. This hall was therefore made six-sided, with the projecting wings attached to four of the six sides. On the ground floor these consist of kitchen premises and dining- and breakfast-rooms on the one side, ladies’ and reception room, with study and business-room, on the other, while on the upper floor the four departments or suites consist ot guests’ rooms, parents’ rooms, children’s rooms, and rooms for daughters and governess.

The advantage of the projecting wings, as enclosing and sheltering the terrace to the south, follows naturally from this arrangement as well as the variety and interest given to the vista effects of the interior, which, like those arranged on the stage, vanish at an angle from the picture plane.

Same suggestion of the character of the interior may be gained from the illustrations. Here, as in other schemes, unity of effect is aimed at by making the principal apartments combine into one coherent whole.

The whole of the route plan of the house is carefully studied, so that the occupants of the various suites have their special private approaches to the rooms. The principal bathroom is a special feature, octagonal in form, and lined with marble and mosaic. The children’s breakfast-room may also be noted as an octagonal room with a domed ceiling. The lines of the house on the exterior suggest the scheme for the garden.