"The Black Sheep"

Modern living in a distinctive detached house with uninterrupted views

Affectionately dubbed "the black sheep" even during construction, this anthracite-coloured Bauhaus-style detached house boldly stands apart from its rural Recklinghausen setting. Its striking minimalist silhouette—defined by a clean flat roof, street-facing box windows that double as interior seating nooks, and expansive glazing overlooking the garden—commands attention. Architect Gerd Huthwelker and interior designer Kristina Fischer collaborated to realise the project in perfect creative harmony.

The 230 m² interior is thoughtfully organised to adapt between open and intimate configurations depending on the moment. Modern yet never austere, each living zone flows naturally into the next. A double-height open plan creates a sense of expansiveness and framing spectacular sightlines throughout. The entry niche—wrapped in oak framework and punctuated with storage and seating—anticipates future lift installation. Eastward, the kitchen dissolves seamlessly into the dining zone, crowned by a dramatic double-height void. While the floor plane remains continuous, the surface shifts from polished concrete to warm oak parquet at the dining threshold. Two steps descend to the sunken living room, where a see-through fireplace anchors a casual seating arrangement. The north-facing living space glows with daylight filtered through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows—a design language repeated in the upper-floor bedroom, where the dressing room connects to the sleeping quarters via a skylit opening. The ensuite bathroom showcases concrete basins and a timber platform supporting the sculptural freestanding tub. On the staggered floor, the wellness retreat unfolds: a sauna oriented northward with floor-to-ceiling corner glazing opening onto a roof terrace, plus a guest bedroom and bath. A horizontal timber façade—contrasting the otherwise dark exterior—extends across the garage and front door, tying the composition together.
The garden mirrors the home's geometric precision. Around the main terrace and two secondary platforms—unified by continuous concrete paving—grow ornamental grasses, evergreen cherry laurel, trained fruit trees, and hydrangeas.

www.in-arch-fischer.de
www.gh-immobilien.com