In the middle of an existing housing estate in Stockum, a real estate company had acquired a plot of land that was to be redensified in order to build upmarket rental apartments. The focus was not only on achieving as much living space as possible, but also on creating as wide a mix of different apartments as possible. E2 architekten from Meerbusch, who were commissioned with the design and implementation planning, developed three cubic structures that accommodate a total of 19 different apartment types and yet combine to form a uniformly designed ensemble in the midst of the partially preserved tree population.

The primary constraint stemmed from the zoning regulations, which permitted only two full storeys. To maximize usable living space, the ground floor level was raised by half a storey. This clever approach created basement floors that, while not classified as full storeys under building codes, remain bright and airy thanks to generous excavations and floor-to-ceiling windows. Rather than relegating residents to dark basement apartments, these spaces were paired with the ground floor units above to form maisonettes. The attic level was conceived as a stepped floor, allowing the two-storey requirement to accommodate four inhabited levels. Each building is entered through an intermediate landing positioned between ground and basement floors. To ensure barrier-free access, a dual-access lift became essential. The underground parking benefits from this split-level design, requiring excavation only half a storey deeper than the basement level. The surrounding plasterwork aesthetic naturally influenced the façade treatment, featuring rendered surfaces throughout. The thermal insulation layer beneath the plaster was purposefully specified in high-quality mineral wool rather than polystyrene—a fire-safety decision often overlooked elsewhere. The extensive glazing of the stairwells demanded an aluminium mullion-transom system, prompting the specification of premium aluminium frames for all windows to maintain visual coherence. The 20 apartments, ranging from 66 to 155 m², showcase refined interiors: oak flooring, porcelain stoneware tiles, and meticulously smooth wall finishes. Lift-and-slide doors open to generous balconies fitted with motorised blinds for sun and privacy control. A geothermal heat pump with 46 ground probes—operated without antifreeze due to the water protection zone—provides heating. The largest penthouse apartment features an integrated fireplace as a distinctive finishing touch.

www.e2architekten.de

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 01|21)