Situated on a relatively narrow riverside plot directly along the Rhine, this property is defined by one distinctive feature: at one end stands a small neo-Romanesque chapel. For the client family, Cologne-based HPA+ Architektur developed a clearly organized floor plan with strong visual and spatial connections flowing between levels. The design's most striking element comes from the dramatic circular openings—they frame spectacular Rhine views from the top floor while forging a meaningful dialogue with the building's historical context.

The owners envisioned an open living area seamlessly extending into the garden, with a dedicated floor above for their three children, and a private retreat zone for the parents on top. This uppermost level called for more than a luxurious master bath and home office—it demanded a terrace overlooking the Rhine. Following the development guidelines, the architects realized the structure with a restrained, eaves-aligned pitched roof and no overhangs, complete with a photovoltaic system integrated into the roof plane. The façade finished in premium clinker brick slips creates a unified design language linking the main house, garage, outdoor kitchen, and wind-shielded pergola into one cohesive composition. The real test came during construction of the basement, which needed to function as usable living space through strategically positioned light wells. Its proximity to the Rhine demanded a waterproof concrete shell—what engineers call a "white tank"—paired with sophisticated pumping systems to keep the space dry.

The living floor, laid with herringbone-patterned oak, flows effortlessly toward the pergola's seating nook, intimate garden, and swimming pool—complete with a wooden lid that transforms it into an additional sun terrace when needed. A sculptural white steel staircase spirals dramatically through all three levels, from basement to rooftop, serving as the home's visual anchor. The children's floor features three equal-sized bedrooms, bath, and WC, unified by a playroom corridor that opens to a mezzanine overlooking the ground floor below. The parents' top floor showcases two commanding circular openings—one facing east, one west—emphasized in the façade by brick laid in a distinctive soldier-course pattern. In the master bath, wrapped in timeless grey and mosaic tiles, the freestanding tub becomes a viewing platform, framing the roofscape in all directions. From the bedroom, a loggia extends beyond one circular opening, revealing the crown of a century-old chestnut tree and the Rhine beyond. Together, these round windows and brick detailing forge a visual echo with the neighboring chapel—making this new home feel like the chapel's larger, thoughtful companion.

www.hpa.de

Photography:
Detlef Podehl
www.podehl.com

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 02|25)