VB518

Ebsdorf, Ebsdorfergrund, Germany

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VB56

VB518

Ebsdorf, Ebsdorfergrund, Germany

Firm

VANBOOM

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2025

SIZE

1000 sqft - 3000 sqft

BUDGET

$100K - 500K

With the VB518, VANBOOM introduces a new example of contemporary timber construction in which energy, material, and architecture are intrinsically integrated from the outset. The compact volume appears almost sculpted by the sun: the building is cut at an optimal angle on its southern side, directly reflecting VANBOOM’s core design principles.

Rather than adding solar panels to a finished design, the architects developed the building around its energy logic from the outset. The orientation of the volume, the slope of the roof and the positioning on the site all follow from this principle, resulting in a clear architectural form in which performance and design converge.

“We didn’t design a house and then add solar panels on top. Energy performance was the starting point. From that principle, the architecture emerged naturally.”
— Jurg Hertog, architect and co-founder of VANBOOM

Set among more conventional homes in the neighbourhood, the sharply oriented roof form creates a striking contrast. According to Hertog, it often sparks conversations about how housing could look if energy and material truly drove the design process.

Form follows performance
The defining feature of the VB518 is its fully south-facing roof plane. This orientation allows the house to maximise solar exposure and generate optimal energy output.
Solar panels are fully integrated into the roof surface, creating a clean, continuous plane where technology and architecture merge seamlessly.

This approach reflects VANBOOM’s design philosophy: sustainable technology should not appear as an add-on, but as an inherent part of the architectural expression.

Timber as structure and atmosphere
The VB518 is largely constructed from biobased materials, with timber serving both as the primary structural system and as a key contributor to the building’s atmosphere. Insulation, façade cladding, and interior finishes all play a central role in this material strategy.

The façade is clad in thermally modified spruce by Lunawood, combining durability with a warm, natural appearance. Wood fibre insulation by STEICO creates a breathable and environmentally responsible building envelope.

Inside, oak-veneered plywood ceilings enhance the warmth of the timber interior. Large façade openings and a central void visually connect the different levels, allowing daylight to penetrate deep into the home.

Timber-aluminium window frames with triple glazing contribute to high insulation values and a comfortable indoor climate.

Energy and climate
Heating and cooling are provided by a Triple Solar heat pump working in combination with PVT panels integrated into the façade. These panels not only generate electricity but also extract heat from the outside air, serving as a source for the heat pump.
By combining passive solar orientation with active energy systems, the building operates with very low energy demand while generating a significant share of its own energy.

Prefabricated precision
Like other VANBOOM projects, the VB518 is prefabricated and fully customised to the client’s requirements. The timber building elements were produced by prefab partner Ekomedis and assembled on site. This method reduces construction time, minimises waste, and limits environmental impact.

The structural design was developed in collaboration with De Ingenieursgroep, ensuring that architecture, engineering, and prefabrication were closely coordinated from the earliest stages.

A quiet vision for future housing
With the VB518, VANBOOM demonstrates how timber construction can unite high-quality architecture, energy efficiency, and material logic into a single coherent design.

The strength of the project lies in the simplicity of its premise: when architecture truly responds to sun, material, and performance, sustainability is no longer an addition — it becomes the form itself.

Key features VB518:
Energy-positive
80% timber-based materials
Total gross floor area: 126 m²
Total net floor area: 96 m²
Prefabricated structure by Ekomedis
Timber-aluminium window frames with triple glazing
Energy label: A++++

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VB518

Ebsdorf, Ebsdorfergrund, Germany

Other Projects by VANBOOM

VB56

VB518

Ebsdorf, Ebsdorfergrund, Germany

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team