Integrating art into architecture isn't new—Germany's government actually mandates that up to 1.5 percent of public construction budgets go toward art installations. Private clients face no such requirement, which is why architects celebrate when developers champion art on their own terms. It's a powerful way to weave culture back into daily life and recognize artists as vital contributors to society. For architects, this creates an exciting challenge: balancing two creative forces and allowing them to enhance one another. Kröger-Daniels Architects faced exactly this task when designing a family home that would showcase both a residence and the works of an artist their client deeply admired. "We essentially let the art guide the architecture," explains architect Katharina Kröger-Daniels.

The corner building presents itself like a gallery—largely closed to the street yet set back strategically on the property. Walled in for privacy despite its prominent location, the home opens entirely toward a sheltered garden, flooding the interior with natural light. Despite its substantial footprint, the architects prioritized efficient flow, arranging rooms in a logical sequence. From the wellness area in the basement, organized around a central atrium, it's just a few steps to the pool. Stretching deep into the garden, the pool adds dimension and direction to the rectangular structure.

Here, architecture doesn't compete with art—it defers to it. The two-story entrance showcases bold, almost jarring paintings that command attention from the moment you enter. The architecture's understated restraint creates the perfect counterpoint: serene surfaces that let the art breathe and resonate. Strict geometry balanced with softer moments. The ground floor features sleek gray polished concrete; smoked oak defines built-ins and upper floors. Granite surfaces appear throughout—fireplace walls, kitchen island, bathrooms—their animated veining echoing the paintings' energy. In the master bath, a circular mirror breaks the rigid linearity, becoming a subtle focal point that softens the composed palette.

"The collaboration between the client, my colleague Aline Ackermann, and me moved at an impressive pace," Kröger-Daniels recalls of what she describes as a remarkably relaxed construction process. That casual confidence extends to the interior furnishings—designer lighting and delicate, almost ethereal dining chairs—creating a curated yet unpretentious atmosphere. When combined with the artwork and architecture, these elements coalesce into a unified design vision. The result is a home that's as intelligent as it is beautiful, enhanced throughout by smart building technology.

www.kroeger-daniels.de

Living space:
580 m²
Plot size:
1,200 m²
Construction period:
12 months
Construction method:
Solid masonry
Energy concept:
Controlled ventilation with radiant floor heating and cooling

Photography Credits:

Constantin Meyer
www.constantin-meyer.de

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 01|21)