Situated in the prime Rhöndorf district, the renowned Haus im Turm—formerly Villa Mertens—commands a park-like setting at the base of Drachenfels mountain. The approximately 2,300 m² plot acquired by the client adjoins this verdant "park." The existing structure had served its time and made way for a new three-storey building that thoughtfully integrates into the landscape, respecting the dense tree canopy.

The Cologne architecture firm form A created a design for ten residences—each offering unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape. Floor-to-ceiling, threshold-free sliding glass doors frame the scenery, drawing it throughout the entire home. Every apartment differs in layout and orientation, yet all share a defining feature: open, light-filled floor plans without confining corridors. This design maximizes sight lines to the outdoors while preserving privacy from neighboring units. Toward the street, the façade strategically shifts and fractures, artfully dissolving the visual mass of three residential levels. Remarkably, the structure remains rigorously purist, linear, and unbroken—a paradox that simply works.

Stepping into the 2020-completed structure, you're immediately drawn to the refined clarity of its stairwells. All apartments exude luxury through their generous three-metre ceiling height. Pure white plaster façades paired with floor-to-ceiling white timber windows and dark aluminium cladding create a minimalist elegance. Window sashes hidden within frame profiles and frameless glass railings—virtually invisible yet structurally sound—preserve uninterrupted views of the landscape. External sun-protection slats, discreetly integrated, shield residents from summer heat, ensure privacy, and reinforce the building's cubic purity. Living spaces range from 137 m² to 200 m², complemented by terraces of up to 90 m². A 470 m² underground car park provides ample parking for residents and guests alike.

www.form-a.de

(From CUBE Cologne Bonn, Issue 03|20)