The Belgian Quarter in Cologne got its name from its historical connection to Belgium. In the 19th century, many Belgian soldiers were stationed here, some of whom settled here after their service. This created a Belgian community that shaped the neighbourhood. Today, it is one of Cologne's liveliest and trendiest creative districts, known for its diverse cultural scene, hip cafés and boutiques. The streets are lined with charming old buildings and there is a wide selection of restaurants, bars and clubs. A young couple of doctors also wanted to settle here and had purchased an old apartment that needed to be partially renovated and adapted to the owners' space requirements. The Düsseldorf-based firm Maria Hassler Architektur und Design, commissioned through a recommendation, developed a renovation plan that preserves the charm of the existing building and complements it harmoniously.

The couple wanted an additional room for a nursery. In addition, the bathroom and kitchen were to be renovated. One particular challenge was that the existing masonry could not be altered for structural reasons, meaning that no new room divisions could be created. In the end, the solution for the children's room was to move the kitchen into the spacious music and study room and design it as an open centrepiece of the flat – especially since all the necessary supply lines could be easily re-laid here. The existing double door leads into the living room, which has been retained, including the bay window. The client wanted the materials to have a "golden" feel. Accordingly, gold-coloured fittings from Porcelonosa were used in the bathroom. These were complemented by light-coloured ceramic tiles with a straight and sloping glossy surface and a roughened natural stone mosaic in the shower cubicle and bathtub platform. Custom-made built-in furniture, which creates storage space and also integrates the tumble dryer, adds cosy and warm accents with its wooden surfaces. The freestanding bathtub was placed in front of the window, overlooking the balcony and the green courtyard. Otherwise, the original old building doors and skirting boards were partially restored and repainted, and the herringbone parquet flooring was sanded down and re-oiled. All the stucco ornaments on the ceiling were reinstalled true to the original. The coat rack in the hallway, made by a carpenter, was given a design with milled recesses to match the old doors. The result is a new living space for the young family-to-be, harmoniously combining old and new and conveying a feeling of well-being.

www.hasslerarchitektur-design.com

Photography Credits:

Rainer Jagusch

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 01|24)