The Palmengarten diplomatic quarter is an established residential enclave where new construction projects must adhere to strict guidelines. Developers here must comply with the Ginnheimer Höhenvertrag, a 1907 accord that precisely regulates building heights, sight lines, and façade treatment. This was the case for Frankfurt-based happarchitecture when designing two mirror-image, independent semi-detached homes. Working within these design constraints, the architects created a contemporary architectural language that reinterprets the classic urban villa—a harmonious interplay of traditional and modern elements. "The architectural twin structure respects its surroundings, seamlessly integrating both in scale and massing with the pre-war context," explains architect Jens Happ.

The double villa features two separate, generously proportioned entrances housed in a projecting stone volume—a signature design motif for articulating façades, particularly in Wilhelminian architecture. Similar projections, or risalits, appear throughout the surrounding villas. The remaining façades, horizontally articulated by cornices and rendered in light plaster, rest upon a stone base. Beyond the central risalit, the twin structure echoes another hallmark of the era: softly rounded building corners.

Meticulously crafted natural stonework, window surrounds, and metalwork details demonstrate refined execution both inside and out, honoring the architectural language of the neighborhood. Behind the structure lies a generous, park-like garden with mature trees. To bring this verdant setting into the interior experience, the architects opened the living spaces of the formally restrained façade expansively toward the garden through extensive glazing, terraces, loggias, and balconies. "While the exterior presents formal symmetry and discipline," explains Happ, "the interior offers our discerning residents complete freedom to personalize their spaces and adapt them to their unique lifestyle."

The client shares this enthusiasm for the contemporary interpretation of the grand villa: "Happ's design impressed us with its refined architecture, perfectly suited to both site and context. It distinguishes itself from typical contemporary buildings through compositional richness and meticulous craftsmanship."

www.happarchitecture.de

Living space: 2,135 m²
Plot size: 2,434 m²
Construction period: 2016–2020
Building type: 2 residential buildings with 6 units
Energy concept: Geothermal heating (heat pump system)

(Published in CUBE Frankfurt 04|20)