Nestled within an idyllic, sprawling park with woodland stands an imposing estate built between 1911 and 1920. Legend has it that the original owner—a steel industrialist so modest he commuted to work by streetcar rather than hire a driver—cultivated and tended the grounds himself. Among these grounds sits a secluded garden house perched on a gentle slope with views overlooking a pond. Düsseldorf-based interior architect Margit Schmeide has carefully restored this heritage-protected gem and designed an expansion of living space into the garden—complete with a luxurious spa retreat for relaxation.

The historic original structure has been complemented by a generous addition that nearly doubles the existing footprint of eight by seven meters. With its floor-to-ceiling expanses of slender-profile glazing, glass sliding elements, and exposed concrete surfaces, the extension stands as a distinctive, contemporary counterpoint that harmoniously dialogues with the heritage structure. Making clever use of the sloped terrain, the addition was executed as a two-story design: while the ground floor generously expands the living areas and brings the garden into the house, the lower level introduces a new luxury spa wing. Both levels connect to a terrace overlooking the pond and a spacious lawn beneath mature trees—and a new terrace extends in front of the addition as well, offering ample room for dining and outdoor cooking. The material palette is carefully calibrated to complement the heritage-protected original building: terracotta tiles in light and dark tones, along with oak wood flooring indoors; fine stoneware in the spa and bath areas; and slate in the outdoor spaces. All windows were carefully restored while maintaining their original mullion proportions with new double glazing. All building systems were completely renewed while ensuring that all heritage-protected period woodwork—from the distinctive round stairwell with its turret, to the doors and the exposed timber roof structure—was preserved intact. All building technology, including the spa and outdoor systems, is controlled and managed through a central BUS system.

www.margitschmeide.de

Photography Credits:

Damian Aschenbrenner

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 01|24)