A young family of three with a large dog sought a detached home in Langenfeld's established residential neighbourhood, lined with classic single and semi-detached houses. Working from the municipal development plan, Düsseldorf-based Georg Döring Architects designed and built a pared-down cubic form—one that belies its restrained exterior with a surprisingly dynamic interior. Behind the geometric clarity lies a richly layered spatial experience.

The building's envelope features a light-coloured double-shell brick façade paired with light bronze aluminium windows—a material palette that echoes the neighbouring homes and allows the compact structure to sit naturally within its context. Oriented on a north-south axis, the building is entered through a stone courtyard framed by exposed concrete walls. The ground floor clusters around an open three-flight staircase with a central lift, while a soaring void above connects to the upper level. An oversized skylight crowns this sequence, flooding both floors with natural light and enabling natural ventilation. The open-plan layout allows living, dining, cooking, and work spaces to flow seamlessly together.

The upper floor is accessed via an open gallery that separates the two bedroom and bathroom areas for children and parents. The proximity to neighbouring buildings specified in the development plan gave rise to the idea of an introverted terrace for the two children's rooms. This is protected from the outside by filter masonry integrated into the façade and constructed in a Brazilian bond. Open to the sky, this significantly reduces the possibility of being seen from the outside without blocking the view from the inside to the outside. The parents' wing and the guest room, both of which face the garden, also offer sufficient privacy. In the basement, in addition to the building services and an underground car park, there is a spacious spa area, which receives natural daylight through an excavation and has a staircase leading to the garden. The building is heated by an air heat pump, supported by a photovoltaic system on the roof. The bedrooms can also be air-conditioned. The windows on the ground floor also have tall, narrow flaps that allow for a permanent manual supply of fresh air. The building's electrical system and lighting are controlled by a KNX system.

www.doering-architekten.de

Photography Credits:

Michael Reisch
www.michaelreisch.net/portfolio

(Featured in CUBE Düsseldorf 02|23)