Shortly after completion, this Rodenkirchen residence was ready for its film debut – the owners immediately offered their new home as a movie set. Yet this is far more than a cinematic backdrop; it's a warm, welcoming family home, crafted exactly as its owners envisioned through architect Martin Falke's practice. Initially, the owners had considered restoring the original 1950s estate house they'd purchased. But the structure's deteriorated condition made renovation economically unfeasible. Instead, Falke presented a concept for a residential building that functions as a design statement – while remaining fundamentally a place to live. The design-forward approach proved instrumental in winning over building authorities to approve the flat-roof structure with roof terrace, a departure from the neighborhood's traditional aesthetic.

If they were building anew, it had to be something distinctive – that was the mandate. "I'm drawn to fresh challenges and unconventional solutions," Falke explains. "Repeating past projects simply isn't my approach." A sculptural spiral staircase of reinforced concrete anchors the design, rising from basement to upper floor. Surrounding this sculptural element, a timber-frame structure was erected in just three days, with components prefabricated off-site and assembled on location. Smooth fine plaster conceals the construction method, while subtly rounded edges soften the building's cubic form. The design aesthetic comes through in flush-mounted windows with slender frames and the deliberate elimination of parapet edging. The glazed corner of the living room particularly demanded meticulous execution.

Refined detailing meets restrained materiality. The ground floor features polished, sealed concrete screed with no baseboards – doors disappear seamlessly into walls. Here, the architecture doesn't dominate; rather, life itself takes center stage. And that includes moments of genuine repose. For Falke, the roof terrace represents one of the home's signature features. Equally, he notes the owners' deep affection for their Bluetooth-enabled soaking tub – their definition of disconnecting is simple: immerse yourself in water and music.

www.falke-architekten.de

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 04|20)