For the second time, Ricardo Ferreira Architecture and Design Studio in Meerbusch has transformed a home for the same clients. A decade ago, they constructed a semi-detached house on an existing basement foundation. This time, the vision was more ambitious: to reimagine a purchased residential property as a generous family home—complete with generous communal spaces, dedicated children's and parents' zones, a dedicated home office, and a swimming pool nestled in the garden.

The constraints were immediately apparent. The 1938 gabled roof structure, situated on a narrow plot and already renovated in the 1970s, offered no room for lateral or rear expansion toward the garden. The solution lay upward: a knee wall extended the modest original attic, creating distinct zones for living, children's bedrooms, and parents' quarters across three levels, with basement space reserved for mechanical systems and storage. The existing attic was reconfigured and raised by a half-story. Equally transformative were the reimagined floor plans: visitors now encounter a generous, light-filled atrium that ascends through all three levels. A dedicated cloakroom with guest powder room occupies the street-facing entrance.

From the entrance, a minimalist floor-to-ceiling window frames the first glimpse of the garden beyond. The open-plan kitchen and central dining area flow seamlessly onto the terrace through expansive glass sliding doors. The preserved and restored fireplace, with its striking external chimney, anchors the garden elevation. An adjoining living area—separated by a dedicated music room—orients toward the street through a generous bay window. Above, the children's level offers three bedrooms plus a guest room with centrally positioned shower room. The top floor reveals the parents' bedroom with dressing area and direct connection to a generously appointed master bath, while a spacious home office overlooks the street. Inside and out, the residence has undergone a decisive design transformation: a carefully composed rhythm of preserved, refined, and new window openings now animates the energy-upgraded plaster façade.

The newly added attic level exemplifies disciplined restraint in its composition. The interior palette reflects the same philosophy—only essential, refined materials. White plaster walls pair with large-format Italian Ceppo di Gré porcelain stoneware, creating continuity across ground-floor flooring and bathroom wall surfaces. Upper levels feature warm oak parquet. Custom cabinetry throughout provides both function and visual calm. Together, these elements frame artworks and objects within an understated architecture—one that knows when less truly means more.

www.rfai.de

Photos:
Julia Vogel
www.julia-vogel.com

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 03|24)