Cities that harness structural transformation creatively emerge as winners—with vibrant new neighborhoods as proof. Where smoking stacks and sulfurous air once dominated, the former Phönix-Ost steelworks in Dortmund now hosts a thriving residential district. When the city zoned the brownfield as a development area, it established deliberate planning guidelines: Dortmund's Lake Phönix would symbolize the city's reinvention beyond heavy industry, with modern, forward-thinking residences lining the shore. Yet the developer's challenge to Avantecture was clear—amid an abundance of contemporary luxury villas, create something that stands distinctly apart.

While the cubic structure remains structurally intact, it's the dramatic angled façade that captures attention—deliberately disorienting the eye and demanding a second glance to truly grasp its geometry. This architectural audacity contrasts sharply with the interior: the 280 m² floorplan is meticulously functional. "We wanted the interior to echo the exterior's boldness," explains Hans A. Heinze of Avantecture, "but with restrained, quiet forms and an unwavering focus on livability." This philosophy manifests in the carefully curated material palette—minimal but precisely coordinated down to every detail—and the integrated fixtures that orchestrate the interior spaces with clarity and purpose.

The lake view dominates from the moment you step inside. Walls seem to dissolve toward the water, drawing the eye outward at every turn. An aquarium partitions the entry from the living room—a subtle nod to this aquatic connection—before the living area's expansive windows amplify the view, and finally the dining terrace overlooks the water directly. The dining area itself soars upward through an open void to the second floor—a visual link between levels. The upper floor belongs to the parents, complete with a gallery-library and a rooftop terrace offering sweeping vistas. Below, the children's quarters open directly onto the garden, positioned steps from the water's edge.

www.avantecture.com

Photography Credits:

Eric Kemnitz
www.eric-kemnitz.com

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 02|20)