Slate façades and roofs extend far beyond the Sauerland. With its dynamic texture, natural lustre, remarkable design versatility, and exceptional longevity, this natural material has earned admirers in both rural and urban settings alike. These two neighbouring homes make a compelling case that slate is far more than a historic material—it's equally at home in contemporary design.

Designed by Bochum-based architects Banz+Riecks, these two gabled homes feature clean lines and simple geometries set on a gently sloping plot within a 1960s residential neighbourhood. Both sit comfortably within their surroundings, yet distinguish themselves through bold, material-driven design choices. Unlike neighbouring properties, they forgo traditional roof overhangs and instead showcase seamlessly integrated slate façades and rooflines, punctuated by white-plastered gable ends. The roof and walls merge fluidly, with roofs that extend slightly beyond the building edges—an effect reminiscent of dark fabric draped across the structures. Together, these elements achieve an elegantly refined aesthetic that grounds regional character in understated, contemporary restraint. The single-family home provides 190 m² of living space, while the adjacent two-family house offers 230 m² across two levels. Generous garden terraces and strategically positioned windows—some extending floor-to-ceiling—flood both interiors with light and blur the boundary between inside and outside. The two-family residence gains additional appeal through a northeast-facing skylight and southwest-facing roof terrace, enabling the upper floor to function as an independent unit.

Sustainable design with minimal energy consumption was paramount to the owners. Geothermal heating and cooling forms the foundation of this approach. Combined with high-performance windows and rear-ventilated façades insulated with 24 cm of mineral wool, the homes achieve significant, measurable energy savings—exceeding current EnEV 2013 standards by roughly 40 per cent. Slate was the natural choice for both façades and the 45-degree pitched roofs. The rectangular double-layer covering, using Rathscheck slate from the Eifel region, reinforces the architecture's modern, linear language. Local roofing specialist Willy Hesse completed the 645 m² installation with variably sized slates. A refined detail: the 35 cm overhang at the gable ends visually frames the roofing as a protective shell.

www.rathscheck.de

Photography Credits:

Rathscheck

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 02|22)