An Architect’s Elevated Family Home Channels Mies van der Rohe on a German Lakefront

In the late 19th-century, the Parkrestaurant Nedlitz was a popular excursion destination in Potsdam, Germany, that boasted a boat dock, terraced garden cafe, and ballroom. While the spot remained a frequented weekend retreat through the Cold War, it had fallen into complete neglect by the time architect Carlos Zwick, founder of the eponymous Berlin-based firm, purchased the lot in 2014.  

In addition to overgrown brambles and crumbling buildings, the site came with strict guidelines for renovation. The original terraced steps near the waterfront had to be preserved; the existing forest of large maple, oak, and chestnut trees couldn’t be removed; and the view of Lake Jungfernsee from the main road had to remain clear. Despite its challenges, the architect thought the property was a perfect place to build a home for himself, his partner, Claudia Kensy, and the couple’s six children, thanks to its wide plot, pristine view, and lake access, as well as the easy drive to Berlin.

Carlos approached the Potsdam Design Council with building proposal after building proposal until he finally received approval for a drawing that hoisted two large, box-like pavilions into the trees, allowing for minimal impact on the landscape and preserving sight lines to the waterfront from the road. The home floats 10 feet aboveground on inverted tripod bases with reddish-brown steel posts that branch upward, mimicking the trees around them.