A family in Bergisch Gladbach envisioned their new home with three key qualities: light, brightness, and modern design. When Lukas Jocks, principal of the Cologne-based architectural firm Jocks Planungen, took on the project, he delivered exactly that—and then some. The result is a striking residence featuring clean lines and flooded with natural light. Through an ingenious architectural solution, Jocks satisfied building code requirements for a pitched roof while achieving the bold, cubic aesthetic of a flat roof. The sloped edges of the pent roof create a clever optical illusion, appearing as the perspective convergence of a true flat roof when viewed from the front.

The expansive overhanging roof shelters a continuous gallery on the upper floor, creating protected outdoor spaces on all sides. Above the building's clearly articulated composition of horizontal and vertical planes, the roof appears to float weightlessly, imparting an elegant sense of lightness. The first floor's horizontal cantilever 'anchors' the roof visually, while the rhythmic arrangement of floor-to-ceiling windows lends geometric precision to the bright plaster facade. Inside, this clarity of design continues seamlessly. A generous entry sequence—three broad steps through the front garden—leads into the open-plan heart of the home: a luminous living, dining, and kitchen space where family life unfolds. Ambient lighting integrated into a continuous soffit, combined with strategically positioned spotlights, creates dynamic layers of illumination. Generous windows on all sides flood the space with daylight and sunshine. Thoughtfully placed accent walls in warm, muted tones and warm oak parquet flooring add residential warmth. The parquet extends seamlessly up the stairs, visually connecting the home's living levels. Upstairs, the bedrooms and bathrooms are organized around a central circulation core, with each room opening onto the surrounding gallery via floor-to-ceiling doors and windows. Even the basement benefits from generous natural light via a spacious light well at the building's rear. A carefully detailed screen of staggered slate panels divides the outdoor area into an open forecourt and private garden, while still allowing glimpses through its geometric composition. An understated brick accent wall frames select portions of this transition zone in subtle earth tones.

www.jocks-planungen.de

Photography Credits:

Polina Kluss/Jocks Planungen

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 01|21)