Timeless Treasures Harmonizing: Haus Paepke Becomes Home to Birds 1967

In the quaint hills of Hofgeismar, Haus und Garten Paepke stands as a remarkable testament to post-war German modernism. Commissioned by a teacher couple in 1958, this family home was designed by the renowned German garden and landscape architect Hermann Mattern, whose influence of Bauhaus principles is unmistakable.

Hermann Mattern, one of the most significant German garden and landscape architects of the 20th century, crafted Haus Paepke with a keen eye for functional design and aesthetic beauty. Nestled into the hillside, the house presents as a single-story building from the street but reveals itself as a two-story dwelling from the garden side. Inside, functional room arrangements and bold color contrasts captivate the eye, with much of the original structure and interior remaining intact to this day.


      

Around the same time the Paepke couple moved in, designer and artist Lisa Larson and her family were staying near San Francisco in Sausalito. The late 1960s in the US was a period marked by anti-war protests and a burgeoning hippie culture. The Flower Power movement emerged as a response to repression, signaling the advent of individualism and total freedom of expression.


   


During this vividly inspired time, Larson's colorful flock of birds came to life. Influenced by the vibrant music of the time and exotic patterns of nearby Mexico's folk art, she began painting wooden birds that embodied the spirit of the era. These birds, created in the midst of a cultural revolution, have since been nesting in Larson’s studio in Sweden, recently resurrected by Design House Stockholm.




      

In 2008, captivated by the distinctive architecture and the seamless blending of indoor and outdoor spaces, Mark Meusel acquired Haus und Garten Paepke. Drawn to its timeless charm, he began searching for art pieces that would complement the house's unique style.

It was during this search that Meusel discovered Lisa Larson’s Birds. “These are by far the most beautiful and iconic design pieces I have seen in years,” he remarked. Now, these vibrant birds have found a new home in Haus Paepke, perfectly blending with the vivid interior colors.




      

"Haus und Garten Paepke invites residents and visitors on a journey through time – a journey back to the late 1950s,” Meusel reflects. With the addition of Birds 1967, that journey extends into the 1960s, reminding us of a time when a young generation protested against war and dreamed of a new society. This harmonious blend of architecture and art encapsulates the spirit of two transformative decades, creating a timeless experience for all who visit.

Photo: Florian Meusel

Owner of Haus & Garten Paepke: Mark Meusel