One house and one soul
In the middle of the picturesque alpine landscape of Ruhpolding, a place has been created that is far more than just a home. It is the heart project of Denise Herrmann-Wick and Thomas Wick - planned, well thought out and realised with attention to detail. In their new home, the biathlon world champion and the former World Cup cross-country skier are focussing on naturalness and quality. Included: numerous JOKA products - from fine parquet flooring and carpets to stylish doors and customised pleated blinds.
Natural. Modern. Healthy living.
"As a budding interior design engineer, I didn't just want to build a house - I wanted to create a home that made sustainable sense for us as a family, but also for the environment," explains Thomas Wick, who was still studying during the planning phase. Over a period of 2.5 years, Thomas and Denise designed their modern timber house, which today proudly bears the "Quality Sustainable Building" seal of approval from BiRN.
The construction phase began in summer 2023 - they moved in around a year later. In spring 2025, they lovingly designed their garden. The secret highlight: a beautiful, albeit not quite perfect, elm tree. "It immediately caught our eye at the tree nursery where we selected our trees - perhaps because it had a few flaws," recalls Denise. "That's why it wasn't officially for sale. We then adopted her."
Wood in its most beautiful form
The house is a tribute to nature - and especially to wood as a material. "Wood is alive. It changes, carries history within it and has an incomparable warmth," says Thomas. "It was important to us to make these facets tangible." In their home, Denise and Thomas show what you can do with and from wood: JOKA Calgary oak parquet flooring and matching skirting boards are the connecting element throughout the house - stylishly complemented by seven solid oak doors on the ground and upper floors.
But even in the basement, the sports couple did not want to do without the natural look and opted for easy-care, robust JOKA CPL doors and a fire door in oak look.
The centrepiece of the combined living and dining area is the inviting wooden table with a modern, black steel frame. This is where the Wicks get together, eat, laugh, celebrate or simply enjoy everyday family life.
Attention to detail
In the bathrooms, fluffy, fitted carpets with non-slip fleece and elegant tipped edges offer comfort and a cosy play of colours. A discreet JOKA pleated blind protects the guest bathroom from prying eyes.
In the hallway and workshop, the Thuringian native's attention to detail is evident. Here, too, Thomas focusses on perfection: in the hallway there is a doormat set into the parquet flooring - it is not only visually more attractive, it also avoids unnecessary tripping hazards. The retrofitted fabric covering of the wardrobe is as attractive as it is practical: textiles reduce noise and ensure pleasant room acoustics.
In order to create a homogeneous look between the workshop and garage with tiled flooring, the planner opted for JOKA Tresolo tiles in a concrete look in his craft room. These designer tiles are also suitable for commercial and industrial use and are therefore extremely hard-wearing - also ideal for the fitness area.
Then and now
Everywhere in and around the house there are pieces of personal jewellery - objects that tell stories. "We didn't want a sterile home. Every room should tell something about us - our travels, our roots, our dreams," says Denise. In the garden, for example, there are granite paving stones that were literally collected from all over Germany by friends and family. Daughter Jonna is delighted with the nostalgic music box from her grandmother, mum Denise with an artistically painted chest from her grandfather and historic Elbe sandstone from her home in Saxony. Dad Thomas favours his grandmother's collector's cups on Sundays.
A pair of historic wooden skis adorn the wall in the hallway. These skis are not only a decorative wedding gift, they also symbolise the couple's special connection to their favourite sport and remind them of shared experiences on the slopes.
Holiday flat with a feeling of home
Right next to the house, Denise and Thomas have created a well thought-out and lovingly designed holiday flat - a retreat for people looking for closeness to nature, peace and a real sense of home.