The owners of two adjacent flats on the upper floor of a residential building initially wanted simply to combine the two units by opening up the dividing wall—and optimize the kitchen-dining area with a surface refresh. However, the four-room flat's layout presented a significant challenge: excessive hallway space with a linear succession of small rooms. Cologne-based Ewen Architektur proposed a contemporary spatial reorganization instead. The result is a floor plan that feels both clearly zoned and remarkably open.

The project began with a structural assessment. Understanding the building's load-bearing elements, the owners embraced a bold strategy: removing all non-load-bearing walls, including the stairwell corridor, which was folded back into the living space. The former one-room flat's non-structural partition was demolished and replaced with a new boundary aligned with the stairwell wall. This restructuring unlocked an entirely new spatial logic. Gone are the wasted corridors—instead, spaces flow in purposeful sequence. You enter through a welcoming transition zone that connects openly to the living area, visually expanding it while still functioning as a proper foyer with coat storage. The guest room, study, and guest bath branch off naturally from here. A carefully positioned opening then leads to the kitchen-dining zone, which remains visually linked to the living area while maintaining its own distinct character. A further passage accesses the private realm—bedroom and en suite master bath, now flooded with natural light for the first time. The design is anchored by an unifying element: over 20 metres of floor-to-ceiling wall storage that winds through the flat, occasionally absorbing full-height doors into its composition. These cabinets deliver ample storage while their facades become sculptural features—softly illuminated focal points in the private zones, display vitrines in the living area. The material palette is intentionally restrained: continuous white walls and ceilings define the spatial boundaries, while warm oak flooring grounds the composition. Bathrooms feature matte sand-toned tiles paired with mineral stone and ceramic fixtures. Strategic lighting—dimmable recessed ceiling fixtures and positioned pendant lights—completes the spatial experience.

www.architekt-ewen.de
www.nils-ewen.com

Photography Credits:

Koy + Winkel
www.koy-winkel.com

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 04|23)