Dachkörper

Dachkörper is a term used in German architecture and urban planning to denote the roof body of a building—the external mass formed by the roof and its immediate envelope above the walls. It refers to the uppermost part of the building as perceived from the exterior and is a central element in the design of massing and silhouette.

The Dachkörper encompasses the roof planes, forms (flat, pitched, hip, gabled, or complex combinations), dormers, parapets, eaves, and ridge lines. Its geometry influences not only the building’s weather protection and structural behavior but also daylighting, ventilation, and thermal performance when combined with insulation and attic space. In many contexts, the Dachkörper also affects the perceived scale of a structure and its relationship to neighboring buildings and the street.

In urban planning and architectural practice, the Dachkörper is often subject to regulations and design guidelines that shape city skylines. Height limits, allowable roof forms, and setback rules can govern how the roof mass is expressed, especially in historic cores or sensitive landscapes. Contemporary designs may treat the Dachkörper as a deliberate architectural feature, using innovative forms and materials to articulate identity while meeting energy and comfort standards.

Etymology and usage: the term combines Dach (roof) and Körper (body). It is primarily used in German-speaking contexts to describe the roof volume; English-language discussions may refer more broadly to roof mass or roof volume, but the exact term Dachkörper is most common in German architectural discourse.