Portus House

We had the privilege of planning the Portus House in Pforzheim in a spacious landscape garden, the existing features of which practically predetermined the location and orientation of the house. Positioned on the northern edge of the site, the house and its terraces open up towards nature on three sides. Distant neighbouring buildings were hidden by modulating the terrain accordingly and by deliberately planting new large trees and shrubs. The house for a person who spends his life inventing beautiful objects, that is, the creation of jewellery, had to bear witness to the lifestyle habits of its owners, but above all, to the culture of its time.

What is the bourgeois building today and what, if anything, can it contribute to society? From this, we derive the obligation to create contemporary beauty and to try out new and old building methods, but also materials, outside of the rule-based, everyday building process. We see this as a kind of synopsis in which we can access all the technical possibilities of contemporary architecture, yet also take into account fundamental human needs, while simultaneously achieving a work of beauty that nature cannot create in such a way.

The living level is designed as an open-plan spatial continuum with predominantly floor-to-ceiling glazing facing south west over the landscape garden. The open hall leads to the dining and the kitchen area, which is adjoined by a terrace and a pool facing south-west and to the living area with its fireplace.

The private rooms with balconies and loggias for the family are located on the top floor.

The client considered simplicity, timelessness and high quality and the use of durable, authentic and genuine materials.