On a sloped site, architect Christian Möller of Alfred Möller Architects designed a new family home with a granny flat and commercial unit. The cubic structure—comprising two full floors, a basement, and a staggered upper level—emerges organically from the terrain's natural topography. The south-to-north slope drops precisely one storey, allowing seamless threshold-free access to the basement from the street, while the ground floor opens directly onto the garden. A single-storey wing without a basement further anchors the living spaces within the garden landscape.

Expansive glazing—some extending across two storeys—and fine-grained, light-coloured plaster create the illusion of the cube hovering above the anthracite metal-clad basement. The recessed basement amplifies this effect, simultaneously carving out a sheltered entry pavilion. "The building's refined architectural language distinguishes it from the surrounding 1950s neighbourhood while its proportions allow it to stand as a thoughtful solitary element within the existing fabric," the architect explains. Terraces with glass railings, full-height windows, and seamless glazing dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior, unifying the spaces into one continuous, flowing volume. Throughout, expansive windows flood every room with natural light.

Inside, the home matches its exterior clarity with a modern, uncluttered aesthetic. Stylish furnishings reinforce the minimalist palette and form language. Seamless polished concrete floors, recessed baseboards, angular anthracite aluminium window frames, and flush wooden doors with integrated cabinetry in satin lacquer establish a timeless black-and-white vocabulary that infuses the space with distinct energy. Warm concrete tones and strategically placed natural wood surfaces bring warmth and comfort to the purist design. Carefully curated artwork and occasional furniture accents introduce colour with restraint. An exposed concrete panel integrated into the glass facade serves as a multimedia display with embedded LED technology.

A delicate cantilevered steel staircase with glass balustrade—its steps appearing to emerge from the exposed concrete wall—gracefully connects the three living levels that the steep slope demands. Invisibly anchored, this striking staircase greets visitors upon entry and immediately reveals the home's refined spatial composition.

www.moeller-architekturbuero.com

(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 04|20)