Wood. A love story.
This is probably the best way to describe the relationship between Hubert Müller, the planner, builder and owner of the Naturchalet, and wood as a material.
Background
Early passion for the forest
From a young age, he always enjoyed working in the forest. When he was 18 years old, he cut 500 solid cubic metres of heavy spruce wood for the construction of a friend's riding hall as a holiday job. He didn't use his wages to buy a fancy car, but rather a woodworking machine.
Successful forestry
Later, as an independent forestry contractor, he and his employees planted around half a million trees and, after the hurricanes ‘Vivien’ and ‘Wiebke’ ravaged the Oberallgäu region, processed more than 20,000 m³ of storm-damaged timber on the steep mountain slopes in the Oberallgäu and brought it down to the valley using a cable car.
Project developments
When he founded a project development company after completing his studies, it was clear to Hubert Müller that all the buildings he developed should focus on sustainability and therefore on wood as a building material.
Nature chalet
The Naturchalet Allgäu therefore bears its name rightly and with pride.
Harmony with the landscape
This is also because it blends in perfectly with the landscape and creates an ideal transition between mountain forest and settlement area.
Artistic heritage
Creating this harmony is one of Hubert Müller's great strengths, and this is where you realise that he can also count important artists among his ancestors.
The log house
Personal dream: natural log house
To crown and at least temporarily conclude his building activities, he wanted to fulfil a personal dream: a natural log house. The most natural and honest form of timber construction.
Furnishings made from solid natural wood
However, not only the house, but also the entire furnishings were to be made from pure, solid natural wood. Hubert Müller designed all the furniture himself. In a clear design language that follows the practical use.
Variety of wood types
A total of 12 different types of wood were used for the furnishings. Most of the wood used grew within sight of the Naturchalet, in the natural mixed mountain forest.
Natural treatment of the furniture
The furniture was treated exclusively with natural oil so that the wood remains breathable and retains all its positive properties.
The builder
Growing together with the surroundings
"The house and its surroundings must grow together. Achieving this requires close observation and a cautious approach."
One with the location
‘The planner must be completely involved with the location - connect with it.’
Harmony in the landscape
‘A house must blend into the landscape as if it could have always stood here.’
Typical regional building
‘Typical regional building means building in such a way that anyone who sees a photo of the house without its surroundings gets a real idea of where in the world this house could be.’
Wood as the primary material
‘It is in the nature of man to build a house and the most original and natural material he can use for this is wood.’
Symbiosis of house and nature
‘House and nature must grow together symbiotically. Three things in particular can contribute to this: the materials available in the environment should characterise the appearance of the house, the exterior appearance of the house should be reflected in the interior and the natural weathering of the surfaces should be allowed.’
Aesthetics and harmony
‘A house must have a face, and just as we perceive people with regular and harmonious facial features and open, clear eyes as beautiful, we also find a harmoniously designed façade with a clear, symmetrical window layout to be aesthetic and appealing. Sometimes, as with the human face, this can be emphasised by a small irregularity, a beauty spot so to speak.’
