For film producer Cornelia Popp and her husband, design studio Holzrausch designed a Munich town house that didn’t begin with floor plans, but instead images—specifically scenes and sketches that the couple assembled.
The living area has custom built-ins in okoumé and smoked oak. Dark finishes, plants, and strategically placed lighting create an intimate, tropical atmosphere.
The desk and chair are original designs by Pierre Chareau from the late 1920s, produced in hammered metal and walnut by The Rope.
Much of the space here feels more intimate, secluded, and private than one would expect from a classic German home.
A 1970s South American Vibe
Dark-wood surfaces, soft lighting, and plants create exactly the 1970s South American vibe the creative couple had envisioned.
Cornelia Popp says, “Given our professions, that was probably the easiest way to express ourselves.”
The first scene feels like it comes from a 1970s film, with lots of wood and warmth.
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Design Approach
Sven Petzold of Holzrausch says, “In this case, we didn’t actually try to work with the existing architecture, but rather to minimize it as much as possible.”
The thick, white square windows of the surrounding brick façades are typical of the 1990s German urban style.
When you’re inside the home, however, Munich soon feels distant.
The narrow staircase, referred to by the architect and his clients as a “gorge,” doesn’t connect the home’s different levels but deliberately separates them.
Dark materials and strategic lighting provide the space with a certain intensity and highlight the transition.
Cornelia Popp says of the narrow, dark entryway staircase, “As soon as the door closes behind you, you’re in another world.”
Walking down and seeing the light through the window at the end—it’s exciting every time.
A Unique Layout
When you enter the house, you immediately find yourself in a small vestibule.
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The fact that you’re not in São Paulo becomes apparent more on the periphery—for instance, when looking into the courtyard.
Holzrausch has created a unique space that feels more like a 1970s South American retreat than a traditional German home.
The use of dark wood, plants, and strategic lighting has created an intimate and tropical atmosphere.
According to the report, the couple’s professions played a significant role in the design process.
The house is a testament to the couple’s creativity and the design studio’s ability to bring their vision to life.
They have a unique layout, with a narrow staircase that separates the different levels.
For more information on 1970s architecture, visit Wikipedia, or explore other homes with unique layouts like a rural family home.
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