House Willett – A Mediterranean-Inspired, Energy-Independent Family Home by Baufritz

House Willett shows how a large family home can combine relaxed, Mediterranean-inspired architecture with a high degree of energy independence. Designed and built by Baufritz, the 431.5m² home pairs elegant shapes, clean lines and natural hues with a rendered façade and a classic hipped roof. At the rear, articulated volumes project into the garden at various angles, giving the house a sculptural presence from the outside.

Inside, a sweeping timber staircase – a masterpiece of German carpentry – links the 265m² ground floor with the 167m² first floor. Sliding pocket doors allow the open living spaces to be partitioned flexibly, so the house can adapt as family life changes.

Sustainability was central to the concept. The home is fully electric: an air source heat pump supplies underfloor heating and hot water, while 22 roof-mounted photovoltaic panels feed three Tesla Powerwall 3 batteries with around 40kWh of usable storage. Solar energy generated during the day powers the house in the evening, the batteries can charge overnight on low-cost tariffs, and integrated Tesla EV chargers let the family drive on home-grown electricity. In summer, the house can run with minimal grid import for extended periods.

The building fabric does much of the work. Baufritz insulated House Willett with HOIZ, its own natural insulation made from wood shavings, certified by natureplus and the German Institut für Baubiologie + Nachhaltigkeit (IBN). The triple-glazed timber and aluminium windows were fitted in the Baufritz factory without PU foam. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, X&E electrosmog protection and Baufritz’s in-house, environmentally friendly interior paints and adhesives create outstanding indoor air quality.

House Willett has been shortlisted in the 2026 Build It Awards.

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