Architect Gerd Streng BDA transformed the unused pitched attic of a family home into an archive and display space for the homeowner's emerging gallery. Today, thoughtful contemporary finishes and materials work alongside the modern art to amplify the charm of this carefully preserved 1950s villa in Groß-Flottbek. Rather than retaining the original pull-out staircase, the architect designed a prototypical "1m² space-saving staircase"—an ingenious alternative that maximizes the spatial potential. Three landing steps lead into the stairwell, whose strategic openings create diagonal sight lines across multiple levels. The design employs a modified spiral geometry: instead of a central spindle, the treads attach to a triangular stringboard twisted three-dimensionally through space. The result is a staircase that extracts every bit of volume the stairwell offers.

The slope aligns with the roof pitch, channeling daylight from the skylight deep into the stairwell. A gas-spring-assisted hatch—crafted from translucent polycarbonate honeycomb—serves as the closure to the attic above. Gone is the red finish of the original; instead, all vertical surfaces are now sheathed in 2.50-millimetre linoleum in a precisely matching tone. This natural material impresses through its distinctive smell and tactile quality. The surfaces, decomposed into red and blue triangles, respond exactly to site conditions and were executed flawlessly by the contractor. Custom-built cabinetry spans both gable ends, offering generous space for archiving and reviewing artwork. The existing window reveals—angled as they are—are now completely mirrored, their multiple reflective planes generating a captivating kaleidoscopic effect.

The centerpiece is a mirrored post at the heart of the large, four-part roof window. Its reflective side surfaces bounce light off the glass, creating a seamless visual horizon that flows unbroken across the rafters. Five additional roof windows with external sun shading flood the attic with natural light. All carpentry was executed by Ralf Staben of Henstedt-Ulzburg. Integrated lighting within the stair treads casts both direct and ambient illumination throughout the hallway and original staircase to the ground floor. To ensure accurate colour assessment of artworks, the lighting scheme maintains a high colour rendering index (>90 Ra). The adjustable, dimmable fixtures beneath the ridge beam were carefully calibrated in partnership with lighting designer Marc Nelson.

www.gerdstreng.de

Photography:
Uwe Scholz

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 02|24)