Wooden doors, herringbone and parquet flooring, a winding wooden staircase, and soaring ceilings adorned with ornate stucco work – this late 19th-century residential and commercial building retained all the hallmarks of classic period charm. The owner and developer envisioned a renovation that would honour the building's protected heritage while meeting the demands of contemporary work culture. The building would also be converted to include residential apartments. Düsseldorf-based firm Anna Wollenberg Architektur crafted a conversion that marries tradition and innovation with remarkable subtlety – notably by rendering essential building systems virtually imperceptible.

What makes this building special is its layered purpose: office and administrative spaces double as working areas, exhibition venues, cultural gathering points, and residential quarters. This multifunctional approach ensures the building thrives as a vibrant, sustainable space. The challenge was clear—every room needed to remain flexible and responsive to change. The architects grounded their vision in a simple but powerful idea: the spaces should reflect both the stories of those who inhabit them and the building's own architectural heritage. Historical room layouts were painstakingly restored to their authentic character while being thoughtfully adapted for contemporary use as offices, cultural venues, and homes. Original architectural elements were carefully preserved and sensitively restored. New building systems were discreetly integrated, remaining largely invisible to maintain the building's character.

The renovation's most significant hurdle was the ornately stuccoed ceiling, a protected heritage element that occupied centre stage. Acoustic improvements couldn't compromise the ceiling's integrity, so no modifications were possible there. In partnership with manufacturer Rockfon, the architects engineered an elegant solution: slender wall panels equipped with acoustic absorbers sit almost invisibly in place, delivering acoustic performance without visual intrusion. These same panels serve as gallery surfaces for delicate artworks. From the renovated attic to the revitalised courtyard, the result is a dynamic workspace, gathering place, and residence that seamlessly fuses the building's historical character with contemporary functionality.

www.annawollenberg.de

Photography:
Luigs Office
www.bueroluigs.de

(Featured in CUBE Düsseldorf 02|25)