Compartmentalized, dark, and decidedly dated—this 1955 gabled-roof house in Gerresheim was ready for a complete architectural reimagining. Kremmel + Budde, a Düsseldorf-based architecture firm, transformed the cramped two-family home into a generously proportioned modern residence, completely renovating its interior in the process.

To create seamless flow between kitchen and living spaces, portions of the ground floor were stripped to the core. A frameless glass lift-and-slide system opens to the garden and terrace, erasing the boundary between inside and out. Strategically placed windows—narrow verticals paired with wider horizontals—frame views while flooding the living areas with natural light throughout the day and year. A carefully considered grey palette amplifies the home's sense of openness: cashmere-toned oak flooring, waxed black MDF cabinetry, and grey concrete tiles in the bathrooms create visual harmony. The kitchen features dark built-ins, a cook's island, and a custom banquette beneath a recessed casement window—all benefiting from the expanded floor plan and restrained color scheme the homeowner selected with meticulous attention. Upstairs, the master suite includes a dressing room and ensuite bathroom where oversized tiles and a floating sculptural bathtub introduce luxury and spatial depth. Burnished fixtures add refinement against the soft grey backdrop. The children's bedrooms occupy the almost entirely rebuilt attic, now brightened by a generous dormer with views toward the verdant neighborhood. These rooms balance ample storage and playful decor with generous space to grow. A newly installed minimalist staircase—with blockish oak treads and black waxed MDF stringers extending to balustrade height—connects both levels. Its joint pattern continues across the built-in cupboards that tuck storage beneath the stairs. From the street, this transformation remains invisible. The architects achieved their goal: preserving the home's historic character entirely. Only the freshly restored plaster façade with charcoal windows and the original timber entrance door with its natural stone surround hint at the beauty within.

www.kremmel-budde.de

Living space: 266 m²
Plot size: 550 m²
Construction timeline: 12 months
Construction method: Double-shell solid masonry with basement

Photography Credits:

Joachim Walter

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 03|23)