What does it mean to expand a historic Black Forest farmstead into a resilient chalet village?  The “Farnberghof“ is rooted in regional traditions of heavy stone bases and broad, sheltering wooden roofs. The new chalet village continues this language in a resilient way: stone socles embedded in the hillside support light timber structures that appear to hover above the ground. From the valley, the chalets open generously towards the landscape; from above, only their roofs are visible, blending seamlessly into the terrain. Together with the existing farm, chapel, and new restaurant, the central village square becomes a gathering place for guests, residents, and visitors alike.

How does the architecture create atmosphere and rhythm for living in the landscape?  Each chalet follows the principle of inversion: life unfolds above, within the wooden roof, while sleeping and spa spaces are embedded in the ground below. Moving from daylight into shaded interiors, guests follow a gradient from brightness into darkness, culminating in an upper gallery that frames the star-filled sky. The chalets are developed in three sizes, each independent yet linked through paths and courtyards. Their placement, gently staggered along the slope, evokes the impression of a naturally grown settlement—one that preserves privacy despite proximity.

In what ways do local craftsmanship and natural materials define a new interpretation of the Black Forest chalet?  The project is realised largely by the farm’s own craftsmen. Timber surfaces remain visible; stone walls remain raw—materials are left in their natural honesty, as is tradition in the Black Forest. The path network is conceived as a looping system, intersected by smaller trails, appearing organic despite the repetition of chalet types. Between them, vegetation forms the final layer: planting that softens boundaries, creates habitats, and transforms the in-between spaces into biotopes. In this way, chalets, pathways, and nature interweave to form a settlement that truly grows out of its site.