Where Old Meets New
Two historic townhouses in Bonn's Nordstadt district were meticulously restored to modern standards while respecting their protected status.
Two multi-family residences from the historic Nordstadt district—a former craftsmen's and merchant quarter in Bonn—required comprehensive renovation. These heritage-protected buildings, complete with ground-floor shops, workshops, and apartments, are integral to Bonn's distinctive Wilhelminian streetscape. Grotegut Architects undertook an extensive restoration and expansion, creating a dynamic interplay between preservation and contemporary design.
The two adjoining buildings share a fascinating history. The ground-floor shoemaker's workshop epitomizes the character of the original neighborhood. Yet the structural extensions added in the 1930s—which encroached beyond the original building line—were decidedly unconventional. A wartime special permit for manufacturing Wehrmacht boots made this expansion possible. During modernization, both these 1930s additions and subsequent 1970s alterations required renewal, structural reinforcement, and conversion to premium apartments. The guiding principle was clear: quality renovation delivers long-term benefits that are both ecologically sustainable and economically sound. A budget laminate floor may cost less initially than parquet, but it deteriorates rapidly with tenant turnover, whereas solid wood gracefully develops character through use. Wherever historical elements had been lost, the architects introduced wooden windows, solid wood doors, and radiator enclosures of exceptional craftsmanship. Material selection prioritized sensory richness—clay plaster and natural clay paints create warmth throughout. The rooms gain vitality from the tension between heritage and innovation: heritage-appropriate multi-paned windows frame cherry blossoms on the street facade, while expansive floor-to-ceiling windows on the rear elevation flood interiors with light. Generous kitchen-living areas and minimal corridors maximize spatial efficiency: though the renovation reduced the number of units, rentable square footage increased by ten percent. Every apartment opens onto private outdoor space—ground-floor gardens, expansive roof terraces, and balconies on upper levels.
Photography Credits:
Andrea Dingeldein
www.andreadingeldein.de
(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 03|23)
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