A villa from the 1950s, nestled in a park-like estate – that was the starting point for a renovation and revitalisation project undertaken by Stapelmann Architektur from Krefeld. In order to meet the space requirements and design wishes of the new residents, the 400-square-metre residence was completely gutted and redesigned in a minimalist style of the highest standard.

In transforming the property, the architect pursued an approach that also reflects his office philosophy: architecture and interior design, as well as garden and open space planning, should be viewed holistically and in relation to one another in order to create a coherent theme and thus optimally exploit the potential of the location. In order to connect the interior and exterior spaces more closely, the garden façade was opened up and fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows. At the same time, additional components, such as a balcony, were removed to articulate the building's cubature more clearly. The converted attic was given a generous, transparent gable window front that lets in plenty of daylight and integrates a French balcony with impact-resistant glass panes.

The interior echoes the typical white design of the whitewashed entrance façade and continues this theme in the living areas and the details of the custom-made furniture: a particularly bright atmosphere is characteristic, achieved by generous white plastered wall surfaces and a continuous, seamless cast floor in a light grey tone. Light whitewashed oak parquet clearly separates the private areas, while surfaces made of ash-grey stained oak in the furniture and built-in cupboards add warm, cosy accents. A strong light-dark contrast in white and black-grey dominates, becoming the leitmotif of the entire design: from the façade, which is contrastingly structured by anthracite-black wooden windows, to the kitchen, living and dining areas and into the bathrooms, a design continuum is created that is as clear as it is timeless and elegant.

A particular highlight is the custom-made, fully glazed sauna, which offers views of the surrounding nature and the pool, which has been integrated into the generously renovated terrace area. The end result is a calm, minimalist living space throughout the entire house, which offers both openness and cosiness in equal measure.

www.stapelmannarchitektur.com

Photography:
Mai Ly Hettling
www.designstrategies.org

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 04|25)