This 1930s terraced townhouse was originally distinguished by its exceptional location overlooking Cologne's Flora. Its façade also remained in remarkably good condition. The owners envisioned more generous, light-filled spaces with ample wall and floor space for displaying art. The goal was to honor the building's heritage while enriching it with innovative, elegantly timeless interventions.

Benjamin von Pidoll's architectural practice has brought the house to life, unlocking its full potential. The two-storey street façade has been meticulously preserved in its original character. The garden façade, by contrast, has been transformed with expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing across all three levels. The basement and ground floors accommodate the living spaces, cloakroom, and guest WC, anchored by a generous entrance hall. The first floor serves as the owners' private sanctuary, while the second floor functions as guest and children's quarters. Creating the open, flowing spaces—particularly on the ground floor—required strategic structural interventions. Rather than hiding these necessary beams and supports, the architects elevated them into a unifying design language, their lines and joints aligning precisely to define and articulate the spatial experience. The result powerfully reinforces the house's essential character: a generous, garden-oriented urban residence.

Restrained material choices establish a thoughtful conversation between old and new: warm herringbone parquet contrasts beautifully with clean, austere surfaces on walls and cabinetry. Period details—the natural stone in the entrance, the front door with its lantern, and the staircase—have been carefully restored. A newly inserted rooflight floods the stairwell with borrowed light, functioning almost as a light well in the roof. The result: a seamless marriage of classic architectural character and contemporary refinement.

www.vonpidoll.de

Photography Credits:

Benjamin von Pidoll

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 03|22)