How do you brighten the interior of a dark, aging terraced house? And accomplish it in just ten weeks with the family still living there? Architect Celia Kunst's project proves it's possible – despite the ambitious timeline and logistical challenges.

The original house was defined by a dim stairwell and cramped rooms, with no welcoming focal point and a disconnected material palette. The owners envisioned larger, flowing spaces – specifically an open-plan living and dining area that would open directly onto their landscaped garden – plus a redesigned bathroom and overall more light and clarity. To achieve this, the architect stripped away all non-structural walls, dissolving the home's compartmentalized layout. The result: a generous, light-filled space that merges kitchen, living, and dining functions, with a bold new glazed wall overlooking the garden. The staircase was freed from its enclosed shaft and now forms a sculptural element within the living area itself. A new skylight bathes the stair hall in natural light.

In the bathroom, a flush floor shower with slim drainage channel and coordinating floor and wall tiles in soft natural tones amplify the sense of openness and visual clarity. A custom mirror and full-height built-in storage complete the effect – expanding the perceived space while keeping necessities discreetly tucked away.

To honor the owners' existing furniture, the architect crafted a cohesive new palette: oak wood, whites, natural tones, and strategic black accents. The original wooden staircase, exposed and restored, slots seamlessly into this scheme. Continuous oak parquet flooring reinforces the desired sense of unity and flow. The custom kitchen becomes a masterclass in spatial intelligence – replacing conventional wall cabinets with a slender, ribbon-like shelf that threads continuously from the cooking zone into the living room, complete with integrated indirect lighting that shifts the room's mood as needed. The countertop gracefully transitions into a built-in bench, maximizing every inch of the compact footprint. Throughout the home, strategically positioned fixtures and ambient ceiling and furniture lighting work together to create the perfect atmosphere for each zone.

www.kunst-architektur.com

Photography Credits:

Sandra Hauer_nahdran photography
www.nahdran.com

(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 02|20)