Modern living room featuring two brown leather sofas, a black patterned rug, and artistic pendant lights above a central f...

Feuer
&
Flamme

Vaccation home
Kunitz (near Jena), Germany

A place that breathes and lives its past like no other. From the outside, there are no visible traces of the former fire station. But inside, the theme of fire is very much present—translated into abstract shapes and fiery light.

The view

Nestled in an idyllic landscape and karst slopes, the house offers a sanctuary. The stone terrace on the forecourt invites you to chat. But the roof terrace inside, reached via staircase, offers a view over the Kunitz valley.

 

The architecture

Where there used to be gates, large windows now open up the view to the south. Instead of the former simple pitched roof, the building is now characterised by two striking bonnets.

From the outside, the building appears cold—it is clad in blue wooden mouldings and painted ash black. But the interior is dominated by fiery colours. Thanks to two skylights, it is bathed in bright light.

The spacious ground floor invites you to cook, linger and enjoy long conversations by the fireplace.

 

 

A look inside

While the ground floor impresses with its spaciousness, the upper rooms offer quiet spaces. The wood-panelled walls create a warm, calm atmosphere, interrupted only by occasional red and orange decorative elements.

 

 

Surrounding area

The former fire station is located in the centre of Kunitz, just a few minutes’ walk from the town of Jena. Guests can enjoy the tranquillity of the village and its surrounding countryside as well as the advantages of the nearby town.

Just around the corner is a quiet playground with numerous opportunities for ball sports and children’s attractions.

 

 

Interesting spots

The landscape around Kunitz is ideal for hikes and boat trips on the Saale. Those who rather seek out tropical plants will find them just a few footsteps away: in the Botanical Gardens in Jena. The town is also home to various museums, offers a view of the stars in the planetarium and invites you to take a stroll through the old town. The ruins of Lobdeburg Castle are not far from the city as well.

 

 

What we love about it?

Interpreting the previous function of the house in a modern way and turning it into the centrepiece of the rebuilt building has turned out to be a real masterpiece. The original natural stone masonry has been preserved and staged as the eye-catcher of the ground floor. It is a symbol of the building tradition of the surrounding area—as are the bricks and exposed screed.

 

 

Who is this place best suited for?

For couples as well as small families or groups of friends. The house can accommodate up to 6 people and offers both quiet areas to engage in conversation, space to cook together or end the evening on one of the terraces.

And in case guests do want to leave this beautiful interior, both serene landscapes and the urban hustle and bustle of Jena are right at their feet.

 

 

The details

 

Cooking

  • Well-equipped kitchen with dishwasher (incl. taps), cooker/oven (2 appliances), fridge/freezer, 2 dining tables.
  • Kitchen utensils, portafilter machine and a small, fine selection of spices, salt/pepper

 

Beds & Bedrooms

  • Spacious bedroom with double bed, wardrobe, armchair and table, blackout facilities
  • Two single beds on the gallery, which can also be used as day beds or sofa
  • Two single beds plus baby cot at your disposal
  • incl. bed linen and towels

 

Other rooms

  • Living room with panoramic seating window (blankets and cushions) and two sofas. Curtain
  • Bathroom with shower and WC on the mezzanine floor, plus guest WC on the ground floor
  • All rooms with underfloor heating, plus wood-burning stove in the living room

 

And also 

  • Sun terrace with deckchairs, table/chairs, parasol, fire bowl and barbecue
  • Sauna (infrared, two people)
  • Private car park, also for bikes
  • WiFi, HiFi (Bluetooth), no TV – but hiking maps, selection of literature, cookery books, games…
  • 24-hour check-in with key box