The Living-Garden House in Kassel is the result of an experimental project called “Ways of Life” organized and co-curated by Christoph Hesse and Neeraj Bhatia. They invited nineteen studios from around the world to participate in their project, aiming to design experimental houses in the vicinity of Kassel, Germany.
In collaboration with the local authorities of the town of Waldeck, a large area by Lake Eder was designated for the construction of these innovative buildings. Certain conditions were imposed; specifically, the houses were required to integrate residential and workspace functions, minimize energy consumption, be close to nature, have a modest footprint, and simultaneously cater to the needs of well-educated individuals who have the ability to conduct a significant portion of their professional lives remotely.

The Living-Garden House in Kassel is the result of an experimental exhibition called “Ways of Life” organized and co-curated by Christoph Hesse and Neeraj Bhatia. They invited nineteen studios from around the world to participate in his project, aiming to design experimental houses in the vicinity of Kassel, Germany.
In collaboration with the local authorities of the town of Waldeck, a large area by Lake Eder was designated for the construction of these innovative buildings. Certain conditions were imposed; specifically, the houses were required to integrate residential and workspace functions, minimize energy consumption, be close to nature, have a modest footprint, and simultaneously cater to the needs of well-educated individuals who have the ability to conduct a significant portion of their professional lives remotely.

The experimental house is an attempt to develop the living-garden house concept which we have been working on consecutively in several executed projects. The aim is total integration with nature and dematerialization of any architectural barriers. Inhabiting living-garden is comparable to living in nature. Living-room becomes living-garden – a natrual extension of the garden – hence the name of this new typology. However, so far the garden inside living-garden house has only been a substitute – in experimental house we’ve decided to take it one step further.
What if we brought the real garden with its living ecosystem into the house? What would happen if we could sit, work and sleep underneath the tree, while enjoying convenience of being inside the house? In the experimental house, we arrange residential functions in the garden on hybrid grass, giving its inhabitants a full experience of living in harmony with nature.

The experimental house is an attempt to develop the living-garden house concept which we have been working on consecutively in several executed projects. The aim is total integration with nature and dematerialization of any architectural barriers. Inhabiting living-garden is comparable to living in nature. Living-room becomes living-garden – a natrual extension of the garden – hence the name of this new typology. However, so far the garden inside living-garden house has only been a substitute – in experimental house we’ve decided to take it one step further.  
What if we brought the real garden with its living ecosystem into the house? What would happen if we could sit, work and sleep underneath the tree, while enjoying convenience of being inside the house? In the experimental house, we arrange residential functions in the garden on hybrid grass, giving its inhabitants a full experience of living in harmony with nature.

The project appeals to natural human needs, like need of shelter and sense of security. The observation of people, resting below the tree was an inspiration for us. The tree gives us a shelter from heavy sun or rain, in the same time it provides maximal contact with the sorrounding landscape. A complete experience of being in the bosom of nature is provided by the hybrid grass on the floor and the roof – transformed grid, relating to the tree crown. An experimental house brings on a new quality of life – close to the nature and its variable rythm of day and night as well as seasonal rythm. This is the return to the lifestyle, which is the most healthy one to the human being, because it is the most natural.

The project appeals to natural human needs, like need of shelter and sense of security. The observation of people, resting below the tree was an inspiration for us. The tree gives us a shelter from heavy sun or rain, in the same time it provides maximal contact with the sorrounding landscape. A complete experience of being in the bosom of nature is provided by the hybrid grass on the floor and the roof – transformed grid, relating to the tree crown. An experimental house brings on a new quality of life – close to the nature and its variable rythm of day and night as well as seasonal rythm. This is the return to the lifestyle, which is the most healthy one to the human being, because it is the most natural.

When the weather conditions are not favorable, the house is closed, however, the contact with the nature is still sensible – it is provided by sliding windows, hybrid grass inside the house and a roof, being an interpretation of the tree. During the day, while we want to be in contact with the surroundings, the house can be opened completely and merge into the garden thanks to the sliding glass walls. These walls are made of the intelligent glass, dynamically reacting to the changes of the sunlight. In the evening, when we want to feel more intimate and safe, the interior can be isolated from the surroundings by closing the walls and the external blinds. Obtaining the optimal conditions for the inhabitants as well as for the grass is assisted by sys­tem of ventilation with the regeneration, heating and cooling by distribution of warm and cold air, which source will be deep -ground heat pump. Rainwater is collected, treated and used ex. for grass irrigation. All the appliances will be located in underground external unit.

When the weather conditions are not favorable, the house is closed, however, the contact with the nature is still sensible – it is provided by sliding windows, hybrid grass inside the house and a roof, being an interpretation of the tree. During the day, while we want to be in contact with the surroundings, the house can be opened completely and merge into the garden thanks to the sliding glass walls. These walls are made of the intelligent glass, dynamically reacting to the changes of the sunlight. In the evening, when we want to feel more intimate and safe, the interior can be isolated from the surroundings by closing the walls and the external blinds. Obtaining the optimal conditions for the inhabitants as well as for the grass is assisted by sys­tem of ventilation with the regeneration, heating and cooling by distribution of warm and cold air, which source will be deep -ground heat pump. Rainwater is collected, treated and used ex. for grass irrigation. All the appliances will be located in underground external unit.

When the weather conditions are not favorable, the house is closed, however, the contact with the nature is still sensible – it is provided by sliding windows, hybrid grass inside the house and a roof, being an interpretation of the tree. During the day, while we want to be in contact with the surroundings, the house can be opened completely and merge into the garden thanks to the sliding glass walls. These walls are made of the intelligent glass, dynamically reacting to the changes of the sunlight. In the evening, when we want to feel more intimate and safe, the interior can be isolated from the surroundings by closing the walls and the external blinds. Obtaining the optimal conditions for the inhabitants as well as for the grass is assisted by sys­tem of ventilation with the regeneration, heating and cooling by distribution of warm and cold air, which source will be deep -ground heat pump. Rainwater is collected, treated and used ex. for grass irrigation. All the appliances will be located in underground external unit.

When the weather conditions are not favorable, the house is closed, however, the contact with the nature is still sensible – it is provided by sliding windows, hybrid grass inside the house and a roof, being an interpretation of the tree. During the day, while we want to be in contact with the surroundings, the house can be opened completely and merge into the garden thanks to the sliding glass walls. These walls are made of the intelligent glass, dynamically reacting to the changes of the sunlight. In the evening, when we want to feel more intimate and safe, the interior can be isolated from the surroundings by closing the walls and the external blinds. Obtaining the optimal conditions for the inhabitants as well as for the grass is assisted by sys­tem of ventilation with the regeneration, heating and cooling by distribution of warm and cold air, which source will be deep -ground heat pump. Rainwater is collected, treated and used ex. for grass irrigation. All the appliances will be located in underground external unit.

Repeatable module of the roof grid is designed to be multiplied and cover structures of variable surfaces. In this case, with a house of approximately 100 m2 for 2 adults, we used a form made up of 2 modules.

At the beginning of 2023, four houses from the Ways of Life project, including those by Jürgen Mayer and Anna Heringer, started to be built in Scheid am Edersee.