Soaring and Elegant
A Bungalow Reimagined: Layered Views and Refined Material Harmony
A couple in Meerbusch purchased a spacious 1950s bungalow with its surrounding garden plot. The building's condition, combined with the family's spatial needs, called for a thoughtful renovation and expansion. The architectural firm Ferreira Verfürth from Meerbusch rose to the challenge, creating a design defined by its openness, visual connections flowing across every level, and a luxurious master bath.
The guiding principle was an industrial loft concept—layered spaces within the full height of the rooms that foster seamless communication. Applied to this single-family home, this vision took shape through horizontal and vertical expansion of the existing structure. Since neighboring properties already featured two stories, urban integration presented no obstacles. A new level was inserted into the raised envelope, discreetly housing the master bedroom, dressing area, and master bath. A frameless, floor-to-ceiling glass wall in the bedroom opens expansive sight lines to the generous ground-floor living hall and garden—yet privacy isn't sacrificed. Secluded zones within the bedroom remain shielded from view, and curtains provide additional screening when needed. The living hall itself, flooded with daylight through a full-height glazed facade with operable shutters, enjoys the protection of an automated external sun shade. The space flows naturally into the kitchen zone positioned directly below the bedroom. A gas fireplace thoughtfully delineates the dining area from the living space.
Despite its seamless new-build appearance, the design had to respectfully work with the existing structural constraints. The master bath presented a particularly intricate puzzle: achieving a flush-floor bathtub required lowering the ceiling of a small guest apartment directly beneath it on the ground floor. To reinforce the loft aesthetic, raw exposed concrete ceilings were chosen throughout. This understated industrial character is warmed by rich oak parquet flooring. Crisp white surfaces—on walls, stairs, and built-ins—maintain visual lightness and minimalist sophistication. The fitted kitchen exemplifies this restraint, integrated seamlessly with virtually invisible cooktop controls and exhaust systems. The master bath follows suit: travertine tiles introduce warmth and luxury while honoring the loft vocabulary.
(Featured in CUBE Düsseldorf 01|20)

