Old substance reorganised
A villa in Bad Honnef was renovated and modernised in line with conservation guidelines.
The vision seemed almost too perfect to be real: a stately semi-detached villa commanding a prominent corner position in Bad Honnef's leafy neighbourhood—complete with mansard roofline, neoclassical gabled dormers, ornate pilasters, and a conservatory that opens generously onto its tree-shaded garden. Yet this heritage-protected property, erected on the eve of World War I, had succumbed to decades of deferred maintenance. When lutz architekten from Bad Honnef took on the project, they crafted a renovation strategy that honoured the building's protected status while addressing the modern spatial needs and lifestyle requirements of its four-person household.
The owners envisioned opening the enclosed ground-floor kitchen into the main living spaces. Equally important: restructuring the two upper storeys to create distinct parent and children's zones. The attic level—already partially developed—required complete reimagining to accommodate their desire for a generous master suite featuring an en-suite sauna. The façade presented the most complex challenge: the decorative plaster details and intricately divided windows demanded close collaboration with the local heritage authority to achieve any energy upgrades. Both upper floors now feature concealed air conditioning discreetly integrated into the façade. Throughout the renovation, the team deliberately preserved, restored, and repaired all existing hardwood floors, interior doors, and hardware. The 1980s stairwell tiles, however, gave way to ornamental cement tiles. While the upper floors retained their original cast-iron radiators, the ground floor gained underfloor heating and a striking new fireplace—its grey stone plinth subtly anchoring the space. A grey marble kitchen island echoes this restrained palette. Wall colours were similarly chosen for their quiet harmony with the architecture. Smart-home technology via Free@home integration—including the alarm system—completes the modernisation.
Photos:
Jan Wengenroth
www.wengenroth-photodesign.com
(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 02|24)
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