MCKNHM architects camouflage CMYK house extension with patterned façade

MCKNHM architects camouflage CMYK house extension with patterned façade
photography by julien lanoo

when the ‘CMYK house’ was acquired in the 1950s, the client was unsure whether the mine-pit adjacent to his new property would be converted into a landfill or a lake. fortunately for him and his family he ended up with a villa next to an idyllic lake, surrounded by a forest on the outskirts of moers, a german city on the western bank of the rhine.

three individual structures have been added to the property

however, as a consequence of the site’s uncertain future, the original layout of the dwelling was orientated away from this now beautiful nature reserve. the extensive paved driveway was situated between the house and the forest and an existing garage was blocking potential sightlines. meanwhile, inside the house only a few rooms provided a view of the lake. MCKNHM architects were commissioned to resolve these problems through the insertion of individual pavilions.

the sauna pavilion shown in context

the home’s workshop and garage was relocated as an autonomous pavilion towards the entrance of the site, while a second structure accommodates a sauna and guesthouse. a third addition is situated on top of the roof of the old house, extending the existing attic into a workspace and lounge with a lake view.

all of the site’s new additions are clad with a camouflaging façade

all of the site’s new additions are clad with a façade that features a colorful, camouflaging print. the pixelated motif incorporates a halftone pattern, which at close distance displays large dots in the cyan, magenta, yellow and key colors. however, from afar a new image is visualized which contains a traditional forest landscape with a deer.

at close range the pattern appears as CMYK dots

internally, the pavilions are highly flexible with a ‘multi-wall’ system providing accessible storage space from both inside and outside the building. at its center, the sauna features a large cube, which also includes space for technical equipment, a wardrobe and bathroom fixtures. through these interventions, the volume becomes highly flexible and open. the space is one continuum with no doors separating the bathroom from the sauna.

the sauna pavilion in relation to the main house

the space is highly flexible and open

a ‘multi-wall’ system provides accessible storage space from both inside and outside the building

the volume is one continuum with no doors separating the bathroom from the sauna

the extension illuminated at night

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