Skip to main content

Falkenberg’s House Rheder II Uses Minimalism to Make Us Feel More

A house to make grown men cry.

What would a home look like with no clutter? What about with walls that disappear into the outdoors beyond them? Nestled in the residential forested area of Rheder, Germany, the structure House Rheder II brings this concept to life thanks to the architecture genius of Falkenberg Innenarchitektur.

Recommended Videos

So stunning it won The American Architecture Prize bronze award for Residential Interior Design, House Rheder II marries the interior and exterior of living, with rooms that play up minimalism, the fusing of natural elements, and an overall aesthetic of calmness and light. Yes, that means none of your girlfriend’s wine and painting pictures or mountains of shoes clogging the entryway.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The main room of Rheder II is sparse and yet warm, as a long pool outside bounces light onto the ceiling within through the glass walls. A fireplace takes property over the opposite wall, built into the foundation. The tips of its flames match the creamy wood floors (reminding us of the class of Hudson Woods), which extend beyond the constraints of the house to form an outdoor patio over the rushing Nethe river.

The main room also contains a coffee-hued leather couch in the back corner (perfect for a glass of bourbon and NYT sports section) and a minimalist kitchen— hardly noticeable at first glance. Given the urge for more retreat, hidden sliding walls provide for flexible spatial arrangement within the layout.

Image used with permission by copyright holder
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Once it’s time to rest, the bedrooms are nestled through the main room, offering a secluded and restorative haven. Made to be a weekend retreat house, Rheder II hides itself within a brush of vibrant green trees and wildflower patches.

A case study in minimalism, House Rheder II is a refreshing journey back down to earth. And yet, through its architectural design, the house makes its surroundings look otherworldly— even celestial. The house makes us ruminate over what exactly it is we need to live, and live comfortably, while its clarity of form and function brings ease to the rushing to-do of everyday. (I’ve never felt so willing to turn off my MLB app notifications.)

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Designers at Falkenberg Innenarchitektur— who are also commissioned for banks, law firms, public buildings, and hotels— say about their approach, “We work out the essence of objects.”

In doing so, we resonate personally with their open spaces and natural light, feeling more ourselves. We never thought a simple house could make us feel so connected. It’s ok to let out a tear. Real men feel, real men cry.

Photos courtesy Reimund Braun and Thomas Mayer

Jahla Seppanen
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual
Born and raised off-the-grid in New Mexico, Jahla Seppanen is currently a sports, fitness, spirits, and culture writer in…
Topics
Don’t ruin your cigars: here’s how to properly season a new humidor
Seasoning secrets every cigar lover could use
faceless man presenting a cigar humidor with cigars inside with gloved hands

If you're a newcomer to the world of cigars or just bought a brand-new humidor, you'll need to season it. And no, I'm not saying to add salt and pepper to it. If you've never heard of it, you might ask, "What is seasoning for a humidor?"

Don't think you need to flavor the box or anything — seasoning is really about getting the wood inside your humidor so as not to rob your cigars of precious moisture. Easy to understand, and getting it done is relatively straightforward as well. The trick is figuring out the "why," and we'll get into that in a bit. But let's first discuss seasoning a humidor.

Read more
The NBA’s ultimate celebration tool: The victory cigar
A look at the players and coaches who smoke to celebrate
Jordan smoking a cigar image on a bag

Sports are synonymous with celebration. After winning the biggest trophy of their lives, athletes want to indulge in the payoff that comes with seeing their dreams realized. Teams go into the locker room, where a waterfall of champagne hits them in the eyes, and swimming goggles seem to be a requirement, lest you walk around on the best night of your life half blind. While drinking is often the activity of choice after winning a championship, the NBA has an alternative symbol of greatness that other sports don't use nearly enough: the victory cigar.

Basketball is a team game, but it's also an individual canvas for solo superstardom. After winning an NBA championship, the coaches and players who sit atop the throne have long smoked a cigar in the locker room, during the parade, or even on the bench before the clock has hit zero. There's nothing quite like a good stogie to signify the ultimate win over the rest of the league, but how did the victory cigar get so ingrained in NBA championship celebrations? We want to take a walk down memory lane and look at some of the historical moments and people who made the cigar what it is within the NBA today.
Red Auerbach's victory cigar on the bench
Red Auerbach: The Story Behind the Victory Cigar + His Disdain of NBA Officials - Red on Roundball

Read more
The best medical shows of all time to binge now
From ER to The Pitt, these are the best medical shows ever made
Noah Wyle in the Pitt

Throughout TV's long history, the medical drama has occupied a somewhat unique place in the landscape. Medical shows are often some of the most reliable on TV precisely because there's so much drama built in to working in a hospital.

Personally, I've found the medical drama to be deeply comforting for years, even if I have no desire to be a doctor myself. Understanding the stress of people in the healthcare profession is fascinating in and of itself.

Read more