The client purchased this 1950s detached home for his family in one of Düsseldorf's most desirable neighborhoods—a quiet, idyllic setting. Situated on a corner lot, the property's greatest asset was its generous, south-facing garden, complete with mature trees that had been there since the house was built. Brandt Architects were tasked with reimagining the home's cramped interior spaces for modern family life while entirely updating its dated materials and finishes across both floors.

The original room layout and interior materials felt hopelessly outdated, necessitating substantial renovations on each level. The building's most glaring shortcoming was its disconnect from the garden—virtually no windows captured views of that beautiful outdoor space. Working closely with their clients, the architects made a bold decision: completely open up the ground floor façade. The solution was an elegant, fully glazed single-story extension on the garden side. Using slim-profile sliding glass elements, they created an almost frameless threshold to the garden—a seamless visual connection. Since the old building sat higher than the garden level, a generous outdoor terrace in exposed concrete naturally followed, serving as the ideal transition between interior and landscape.

From the terrace, a gracious outdoor staircase invites you down into the garden. Upstairs, where the family's bedrooms and children's rooms are situated, a roof terrace crowns the extension—another elevated vantage point over the landscape. Throughout the redesign, the architects prioritized responsive spatial planning: the family's needs shaped every room's purpose and character. Now, stepping through the transparent steel-framed entrance door offers an immediate vista deep into the garden. The living area flows generously into the new glass extension, where the dining space opens to natural light and garden views. The kitchen, anchored by a freestanding island, finds its natural place at the living room's end. Beyond function, each space was given distinct personality—most notably, a fully equipped children's workshop occupies a prominent ground-floor location, deliberately designed as a boundless creative sanctuary for young minds. Details like the custom coat closet, perfectly integrated into the curved stairwell, reflect the inspired craftsmanship of Bereuter Carpentry from the Bregenzer Wald, whose dedicated partnership brought every thoughtfully designed built-in element to life.

www.brandt-architekten.de

Photography Credits:

Hanne Brandt

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 01|24)