Solar-powered House Lindau blends in with its lakeside surroundings in Germany

<a href="http://www.k-m-architektur.com/joomla/projekte/einfamilienhaus/15-efhlindau.html" target="_blank">House Lindau</a> is tucked into a grouping of trees on the shore of Lake Constance in southeast Germany. Designed by Austrian firm <a href="http://www.k-m-architektur.com/" target="_blank">k_m architektur</a>, the two-bedroom home blends into its surrounding lakeside environment with its use of natural materials and a subdued palette. A rooftop photovoltaic system is combined with geothermal heating and cooling to make the home very low energy and low impact.

Lindau is located on the eastern side of Lake Constance, which sits in between southern Germany and Austria.

This lakeside home is 190 sq m (2,045 sq ft) and has two bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, an open-space living/dining room, and a library.

The bedrooms, baths, and utility rooms are relegated to the back of the house, while the shared living spaces are at the front with views of the lake seen through floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

A sheltered courtyard with a planted tree cuts into the home and acts as a light well to supply more daylighting.

The home's simple and efficient floor plan allows for living larger with less space.

Cedar plank siding covers the exterior and will weather over time to a gray patina to blend in more with the wooded site.

A geothermal heating and cooling system keeps energy use low, and a fireplace provides supplemental heat when necessary.

A rooftop photovoltaic system provides most of the energy the home needs helping it to reduce its impact.

The result is a contemporary vacation home that sits well in its lakeside location.

A courtyard cuts into the home to provide more light for the interior.

The home blends into the trees.

Floor plan of House Lindau.

Site plan of House Lindau.