Built in 1910, this distinguished villa in Hamburg's Elbe suburbs has been reimagined many times over. Andreas Edye Architects restored the original form of the two-story structure by removing a later extension, then transformed the roof into a second, contemporary 116 m² residence—complete with expansive new dormers that bring light and proportion to the upper floors.

With the extension's demolition came an unexpected gift: the chance to create not just a new kitchen, but the true heart of family living. Rather than follow convention, the architects envisioned something entirely fresh. They transformed the courtyard-like space between the villa's two wings into a year-round glass conservatory on the garden's western face. The villa's exterior walls now frame the interior of this remarkable kitchen. A newly installed gallery balcony bridges the original upper story with the new space below—visually and functionally weaving the kitchen seamlessly into the house's existing architecture.

The result: a soaring two-story space filled with volume and light. Glass walls and expansive skylights in the pitched roof create an extraordinary atmosphere where interior and exterior dissolve into one another. In summer, the 3.40 m high frameless sliding doors open completely, extending the kitchen into the garden. In winter, the family gathers at the dining table beneath the starlit sky. Colorful patterned concrete tiles highlight the cooking island while warm wooden floors ground the dining area. Bringing this copper-roofed conservatory to life—with its glass and steel facade, exposed timber roof structure, and generous overhangs—required navigating complex planning and regulatory challenges.

www.edye-architekten.de

Photography Credits:

Thorsten Scherz
www.thorstenscherz.de

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 03|21)