- Project: Witte Home
- Architect: Wittehaus
- Location: United States, Concord, North Carolina
- Year: 2017
- Area: 159 m2
- Photography: Toby Witte
In Concord, North Carolina, the Witte Home by Wittehaus is a personal architectural statement by Toby Witte, designed as a residence for his own family of five. Completed in 2017, the 1,710-square-foot house demonstrates how modern design principles, clever space planning, and rich materiality can create a home that is both compact and expansive.
A Small Yet Spacious Modern Dwelling
The challenge was clear: fit four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open-plan living area into a modest footprint without compromising comfort. The solution was an efficient layout anchored by floor-to-ceiling windows that extend the interiors into the wooded surroundings, blurring the boundary between house and landscape.
On the ground floor, an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area flows seamlessly. The master bedroom connects via frosted glass sliding panels, allowing its floor area to merge with the living space by day and transform into a private retreat at night.
Organization Through Overlapping Volumes
The house is structured around three interlocking volumes arranged around a continuous brick wall that flows from exterior to interior, creating a pinwheel effect of spaces. This wall not only anchors the home but also organizes circulation, storage, and visual connections.
Upstairs, the three daughters’ bedrooms jut out independently, ensuring each has windows on three sides and views to one another—fostering both independence and a sense of family closeness.
Smart Use of Every Inch
Efficiency is embedded in every detail:
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Integrated storage is built into walls, stairs, and niches.
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The entryway includes concealed shoe storage, hooks, and seating within the brick wall and staircase.
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Wardrobes, built-in shelving, and hidden nooks maximize space throughout.
This compact home demonstrates that small square footage does not mean sacrificing livability.
Material Palette: Earthy and Modern
To balance the sleekness of modern minimalism, Toby Witte employed rich, tactile materials:
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Brick walls provide warmth and continuity.
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Cedar slats, concrete floors, and dark ceilings create contrast and depth.
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Reclaimed 300-year-old oak beams from a local log home serve as window sills, infusing history into the contemporary setting.
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Bright accent colors and thoughtful detailing add vibrancy.
Custom details, such as a steel bracket connecting a wood wall to a floating beam or a powder-coated steel rain shield above the entry, highlight craftsmanship and playfulness.
A Family Home That Embodies Design Integrity
The Witte Home exemplifies how thoughtful design can maximize space, comfort, and character. By merging modern clarity with earthy textures, Toby Witte has created a warm and livable family home that is both a personal sanctuary and a showcase of his architectural philosophy.
