Architecture

Movable walls close off Open House when owners need privacy

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The curved exterior walls can be moved behind the Open House to make the most of the view to the front (as shown here) or rolled out to enclose the terrace for privacy
KWK Promes
The curved exterior walls can be moved behind the Open House to make the most of the view to the front (as shown here) or rolled out to enclose the terrace for privacy
KWK Promes
Open House's operable walls will completely enclose the home's garden at the push of a button
KWK Promes
Open House will feature an open layout and a partially glazed facade, ensuring lots of natural light enters the home
KWK Promes
Open House's walls will function using an electric motor system operated with the push of a button
KWK Promes
Open House's walls can be partially closed if preferred, to offer a little privacy while maintaining its openness
KWK Promes
Designer KWK Promes says that Open House will be completed sometime in 2025
KWK Promes
Open House's long curving walls will be mounted on small wheels and will move slowly using an electric motor
KWK Promes
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Typically, you likely have to choose between a house that's open to its surroundings or one that focuses on privacy. However, an upcoming German residence by KWK Promes will embrace both: though open as standard, with the flick of a switch walls will appear and close off the home to prying eyes.

The idea behind the Open House didn't come from some particularly annoying neighbors or anything like that, but was instead informed by its location on a choice plot of land that's occasionally filled with visitors for social and sporting events.

The idea is that the owner will enjoy the surrounding forest most of the time but occasionally close off the walls when it gets busy. The long curving walls will be situated on small wheels and will be moved using an electric motor when a button is pushed.

"The site near Bremen, where the house stands, usually is a quiet corner on the edge of the village at the interface with the forest," explains KWK Promes' press release. "However, periodically - due to sports events in the direct neighborhood - the area would fill up with casual people. The architects didn't want a fence to limit interference with the character of this place and at the same time to preserve the natural migration of wild animals. The essence has therefore become to maintain everyday openness, but with the possibility of using temporary closure in the most inconvenient moments."

Open House's long curving walls will be mounted on small wheels and will move slowly using an electric motor
KWK Promes

The Open House is designed for a family of two and will measure 250 sq m (roughly 2,700 sq ft), including its garage. This will be divided between two bedrooms, a spacious living room, as well as a mezzanine area, plus a kitchen and bathrooms, with its open layout and generous glazing ensuring a connection to the outside.

Its exterior design will acknowledge the local architectural style too with whitewashed walls and a traditional thatched reed roof that will feature custom openings at the top of the roof to improve ventilation throughout the home. Finally, all electricity required to run the house (including its sliding wall mechanism) will come from solar panels, though we've no word on their capacity yet.

Open House's walls can be partially closed if preferred, to offer a little privacy while maintaining its openness
KWK Promes

Open House is currently under construction and is expected to be completed some time in 2025. Polish studio KWK Promes has experience with this kind of novel moving residence and the Open House follows its Quadrant House which had an operable terrace.

Source: KWK Promes

View gallery - 7 images
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5 comments
P
So, when the moveable walls are "open," they completely shut off the remainder of the house. Perhaps including the front door. No windows?
Rusty
Oh boy! Another toy for the Hollywood types, Gates etc!
veryken
Wonderful idea and the circular form is ideal. However, in the real world, keeping those tracks perfectly clean will be near impossible or a huge regular chore. Just a smidgeon of blockage by whatever dirt or rust will render it useless — useless fully open, useless fully closed, or useless and annoyingly halfway.
adam barlow
In the middle of a remote forest, surrounded by trees.... the idea of a privacy wall, that will likely cause all manner of technical issues seems a little redundant to me!
Techutante
Drown in white, designed by people who apparently want to have to wear sunglasses in their own home. Also, agree the gates will just get clogged in weeds in a year and a half.