Transform an overgrown ruin into a welcoming home for two families with a beautiful garden? At first glance, it seemed impossible. A decade of abandonment and meter-high vegetation had obscured the building's hidden potential. Only one thing was immediately apparent: its exceptional hillside location offered real promise.

The two families—one from the architectural practice Frey Architekten—rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Layer by layer, they uncovered the house and garden's inherent character. What emerged through this process became the project's guiding principles: respect for the existing structure and thoughtful integration of what was already there. Architecturally, the renovation needed to sit comfortably within its context while speaking a distinctly contemporary language—confident yet restrained. The neighboring Gründerzeit villas set a dignified standard that shouldn't be overshadowed. This philosophy found expression in every material choice: red clay roof tiles, copper sheeting, and a carefully textured plaster finish that required countless samples before achieving the perfect balance between old and new. Large, naturally finished oak windows set deep into the walls flood the interior with light and frame carefully composed views in and out. Inside, the original three-unit layout was completely reimagined. A new structural wall, running from basement to roof, now anchors both units and supports an elegant oak staircase serving the vertical circulation. The two mirrored floor plans are refreshingly simple and purposeful. The ground floor opens seamlessly to terraces and garden, creating a fluid living experience. Upstairs—the children's domain—the hallway opens to a balcony garden that doubles as a playroom, adjacent to south-facing bedrooms. The converted attic provides the parents' retreat. Below, a shared basement with two garden rooms offers generous space for the children's imaginative play. The two units strike an appealing balance of unity and individuality through subtle material variations and their respective orientations.

www.freyarchitekten.de

Photography:
Frey Architects

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 04|21)