Huf Passions

This weekend my husband and I had the pleasure of attending an exciting gala hosted by the Huf Haus Company.  Better yet, we had the honor of meeting the Huf family along with the “father of the Huf design”, Manfred Adams and his wife.  These people are the artistic masterminds behind the architecture my husband and I fell in love with the moment we stepped into a Huf model home several years ago.  If you’re unfamiliar with this Bauhaus style, click here for a visual and basic introduction. 

 

You may already know, my husband and I dream of owning this home.  The entire day was surreal in many ways.  Just a week ago we were watching a Grand Designs DVD a Huf representative gave to us a year ago when we revisted the model home.  We watch the DVD regularly just to fuel the motivation and the dream.  I said to Michael, “I’d love to meet Peter Huf,” after watching his interview, hoping for a simple hello. Ha!  I didn’t only meet him.  I had lunch with him…and his father, mother, Mr. Adams and his wife as well (a lovely woman I must say) and also met his brother, Thomas Huf.  Mr. Huf senior and Mr. Adams are the two who, as Peter Huf said, took the chance on a dream 36 years ago when building the first Huf Haus.  Now the company turns over hundreds of homes a year around Europe with their market slowly becoming international.

What made this all “unusual” was that we missed our tour to see their new Art 9 model home, which is basically a Huf mansion and the main reason for the event – a grand opening if you will.  It’s 9 x 6 bay, each bay being approximately 2,30 to 3 meters long according to the standard blueprints I have, depending on the house design.  We walked around their grounds where several model homes are situated and I bitched for almost an hour:  “I can’t believe we missed our slot!  Lets find someone to talk to.  I want to make sure we’ll get in to see it.”  Of course, my husband rolled his eyes a few times and repeated we’d get the chance and that I should just relax and enjoy the experience.  I hate when he’s right, which happens to be more times than not.  

One thing led to another and before we knew it, Michael and I were being seated at Mr. Huf’s reception table.  When I realized Peter Huf was the man we’d be sitting next to, I thought, wow and then a million thoughts ran through my head, like, yikes, what were all those questions I had wanted to ask if I ever had the opportunity?!  At first it was uncomfortable, as, you know, just a week prior I’m talking about how cool it would be to meet him and now I’m sitting next to him trying to strike up a general conversation without looking like some eager fool. 

 

We learned some little interesting facts about his family, like Mr. Peter Huf is married to an American and that he’s the neighbor of David and Greta Iredale, the couple in London whom Grand Designs featured on the DVD we own.  Their England market is the fastest growing, having built over 120 homes in the past several years; they’ve built 20 homes in China and expect in the future to sell in the U.S. There were a lot of little cool facts and I felt like I just got this wild gift.  It’s probably silly for all of you; I mean, who the heck are the Hufs anyway, right?  To me, they are the family and company who are going to build my dream home.  Meeting, talking, laughing, getting to know a little bit about them, their company and philosophy first hand just makes my dreaming process so much more exciting…actual if you will. One of the founding principles of their company is that “all in the family” passion which to me automatically equates to trust.  Having owned my own business in the past, finding trusting and motivated employees is always the most difficult aspect of entrepreneurship.

That lunch seating lead to just a fabulous experience of having the chance to express how much I loved the Huf homes to the very people who create them.  When we left I was shaking and got teary eyed – almost cried from happiness, so grateful that somehow our missed tour led us right into the unknown opportunity of introducing ourselves to them.  A little icing on the cake came when I had the opportunity to meet Michaela Kammer, the artist and designer of the paintings and furniture inside the new, totally exquisite Art 9 Huf Haus.  Its downstairs interior was designed with the elemental themes of water, air, fire and earth in mind, each room containing minimalist furnishings while the paintings acted as the emphasis points of color to compliment the large rooms’ themes and “naked” feel.  It’s a must see if you can take a weekend trip to Hartenfels, Germany, their headquarters.

 

I was particularly struck by one of Krammer’s paintings (above) as it reminded me of something on my dreamboard; I thought I heard the Twilight Zone theme in my head and got goosebumps when I saw it.  Krammer seemed surprised, or maybe delighted – I couldn’t tell – when I spoke with her and told her I loved the painting. I suppose I was just in awe from all of the events earlier in the day but Huf homes accenuate that kind of state; I think I wore a glowing aura and may have belonged as a Pygmalion statue in the “fire” room, where scarlet red seating faced the magnicifant glass window and fireplace.  I was waiting for the gods to make everything around me tangible and real – mine.

I was difficult to not shine in excitement and wonderment while expressing to these people how much and why I valued the work they’ve done.  I think what humbled me was seeing that I in some way humbled them as well.  Mr. Peter Huf expressed that people either love the Huf home design or hate it.  There is no in between.  Well, I introduced myself and my husband as “the lovers” (how appropriate, right?). 

There is a very unique kind of person I feel loves this kind of architecture.  First, one needs to really appreciate nature and want to feel as though one lives in it, as that’s basically what’s happening.  Second, one must appreciate natural light.  Third, I’d think one should also somehow not mind the “exhibitionism” the house offers since its primary value is the large percentage of “exposed” living via all the transparency; during the day its owners get an unobstructed view of the outside while in the eveing the “outsiders” get an unobstructed view on what’s going on inside.  No worries, blinds are built into their windows automatically.  Lastly, I think there’s an element of artistry its owners possess, some desire to not only be within nature the way only Huf could give it but also to live in a work of art itself.  The Huf Haus is a work of art in and of istelf and as artists, my husband and I are moved by the Huf experience.  I’m especially pleased I had a chance to tell Mr. Huf that while also meeting the family who’s passion is evident.  Maybe the Huf Haus is just that, a dwelling which ignites passion.  Perhaps that is the reason I’m in love with it.  That is the basic reason I’m in love with my husband.  If I was able to attain the ultimate man in my life, I can attain the ultimate house as well.  Never underestimate the power of what can be accomplished when love and passion of something is the motivator. 

Curious about the experience?  Here’s a few great links I’ve found to share in addition to those above:

Telegraph Article about the company and the England market

Huf Haus owner blog

Bob’s Huf Haus blog

A good article mentioning David and Greta Iredale, featured on Grand Designs with Kevin McCloud

Huf Haus Official Website