Haus am See
Occupying an early 20th-century industrialist’s villa, Haus am See is an eclectically designed holiday rental in Bavaria. It boasts four spacious suites and several terraces with views across the lake
How would you describe the house in a nutshell?
The house is a very special place. It’s tiny – hidden in the forest, yet with this wide, cinematic view over Lake Walchensee and the mountains beyond. A lot has happened here over the years, and there’s a surprisingly “intense” kind of neighbourhood history.
Just next door, for example, is the former home of the painter Lovis Corinth, who spent a long time here and painted the lake view again and again. Later, the physicist Werner Heisenberg took over the house. There are stories of how, after the war, the Americans came up here to pick him up – a convoy arriving at the bottom, then bringing him down from this secluded retreat. The house has always attracted people who wanted distance, focus, and a certain kind of silence.
Our own house is originally from the 1960s. I’m from the area myself, so the place has always meant something to me – but when we discovered the property, it still felt like an unexpected find. The site is steep and terraced, around 1,000 sqm, and the house sits across different levels. It’s one of those locations that immediately feels right.
At the time, the building itself was… challenging. It had essentially become a “hoarder house” – packed with things from years and years. The structure, luckily, was solid and well built, but clearing it was a project in itself. Because of the terrain, you can’t simply bring in big machines. A lot of it had to be carried out by hand.
How did you approach the renovation, and what did you want to achieve with the design?
The renovation happened in stages, over time. First, it was about freeing the house, understanding what we had, and slowly bringing it back to life. The larger renovation that led to the way it looks today came later, and the design phase in its final form is now around four to five years old.
A key part was the energy retrofit. The building is masonry, so we chose to insulate and clad it from the outside, using timber cladding – it’s the most sensible approach for this kind of structure. We also created a generous roof overhang, which matters here: you have snow, weather, and strong alpine conditions. The house needs to work in real life, not just in photos.
In terms of atmosphere, the goal was never flashy luxury. I wanted the house to feel relaxed, light, and genuinely comfortable – design-led, yes, but never “overdone.” There’s a kind of simple luxury I personally love: the things that make you feel good without shouting.
We used a lot of local materials, especially silver fir (Weißtanne) from nearby Jachenau. That valley feels wonderfully remote – in winter, with avalanche conditions, it can become completely inaccessible. It’s rare to find places like that in Germany.
For you personally, what makes this house so special?
It’s the location. The architecture matters, of course, but the truth is: the house sits exactly where it should. You feel it the moment you arrive. It works in every season, in every kind of weather. If it’s hot, you have shade and a breeze. If it’s cold, the house holds you. If it’s perfect outside, you always find the right terrace.
And then there’s the closeness to the lake: it’s about three minutes on foot, down your own private road. There’s a barrier at the entrance, so it feels extremely private – but not in an artificial “gated” way. Occasionally, a hiker passes below, but overall, it’s incredibly secluded and calm. You can be here while everything is happening down at the lake – and you’ll barely notice.
Even in winter, the view can be surreal: snow melting on the slopes, and out on the lake, you might see wing surfers cutting through the water. The lake actually has waves, and watching the light move across it from above is something that still impresses me every time.
Another thing many people don’t expect is the microclimate. In the valley, you can have persistent fog – and up here you’ll be in full sun. Sometimes Munich is grey and cold, while we’re sitting in the sun at 16°C. It’s one of the reasons I now spend much more time here: the city starts to feel oddly flat by comparison.
What do you hope guests feel when they’re here?
I hope they feel what I feel each time I arrive: that you’ve stepped into a place that’s genuinely rare. The landscape is powerful, but life still feels normal and authentic – not overly polished, not too “scene.” It’s not Tegernsee, it’s not Sylt. It’s a quieter kind of luxury: space, light, nature, and the sense that you’re protected, tucked away, and completely free.
And if it’s winter, even better: snow, blue sky, and that bright alpine light that changes everything.
