Bedingrade, a district in western Essen, embodies village-like charm with expansive green spaces and predominantly residential single- and multi-family homes. Within this pastoral setting, KenChiku Architektur + Design designed and built a five-family house that echoes the area's agricultural heritage. Between Roßstraße and Scheckenstraße, near the Hexbachtal nature reserve, a historic farmstead once stood where horses grazed across open meadows. Architect Holger Gravius drew inspiration from this vision—the dynamic grace and meditative calm of the animals—shaping every aspect of the design.

The minimalist white façade translates the flowing contours of horses into a language of concave and convex forms—a design motif woven throughout the building. Equally important, the design satisfies the urban master plan's requirement for a curved perimeter, which, together with neighboring structures, creates an ovoid public plaza. Visitors naturally encounter this play of curves: rounded building corners, circular details adorning custom-fabricated balcony screens, and perforated metal panels that shift between light and shadow as the sun moves. High above, custom-made roof louvers evoke the silhouette of open parasols. The result radiates profound serenity—a philosophy Holger Gravius describes as rooted in minimalism and Shiubi, the Japanese Zen concept of beauty. "Shiubi represents the power of stillness," he explains, "where the perfect unity of craft, material, and design becomes visible."

A gently curving pathway guides residents through the sheltered entrance and into a world of flowing curves and pristine white surfaces. A sinuous staircase spirals upward while rounded openings of varying sizes punctuate a curved wall, creating visual rhythm throughout. All units—ranging from 62 m² to 136 m²—feature balconies or terraces and are virtually barrier-free. Open floor plans maximize the sense of space, and generous floor-to-ceiling windows flood interiors with natural light. An underground garage with nine parking spaces serves residents, with elevator access up to the third floor. The building excels in sustainability as well: an optimised envelope-to-volume ratio, triple-glazed windows, superior insulation, and a gas absorption heat pump work together to minimise operating energy consumption.

www.kenchiku.de

Photography:
Holger Gravius

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 04|25)