The idea of trading city life for countryside living took some convincing at first. But for these equestrian enthusiasts, the appeal of a prime Düsseldorf suburb location—with unobstructed views and direct access to a horse estate—proved irresistible. Schrötgens Architekten from Mönchengladbach took the helm, tasked with designing a spacious, light-filled residence defined by clean modern lines and seamless visual connections to the surrounding landscape—the clients' specific vision.

Positioned at the end of a quiet residential street, the home responds intelligently to its topography. A three-meter grade change becomes an asset: the architects combined a three-story elongated volume with a two-story wing set perpendicular to it, creating a single-story transverse element and a two-story longitudinal bar toward the garden. The transverse section holds the main and utility kitchens, which flow naturally into a generous dining area. Fully glazed and anchored by a central island, the kitchen opens completely to the garden through corner glass walls that align with the pool beyond. In summer, the boundary between house and garden dissolves into one continuous living space—complete with an outdoor kitchen. A room divider between living and dining zones discreetly accommodates the gas fireplace and projector screen. A sculptural cantilever staircase with premium wooden treads floats through the space to the second floor, where several bedrooms connect to spa-like en-suite bathrooms finished with seamless acrylic-stone vanities, understated stainless fittings, LED strips, and expansive mirrors that blur into the window bands—nature seamlessly brought indoors.

A luminous entry hall at ground level welcomes visitors into a generous guest suite with south-facing terrace. Beyond lies access to the wellness and sports wing with fireplace, integrated EV charging stations, and a service lift to upper floors. Smart climate control comes from a networked binary unit system managing the geothermal heating—already future-proofed for optional solar and battery integration. Convertible underfloor heating cools the home in summer and works in concert with the extensive green roof above. A fully integrated audio system sits flush with the ceiling, delivering pristine sound quality.

The owners envisioned a refined, understated modern aesthetic as a canvas for bold furniture and fine art. Polished concrete floors, light aluminium frames, and crisp white joinery establish a neutral foundation—a backdrop that lets their creativity evolve over time. The expansive garden proves equally flexible: a staircase descends from the sauna to the pool and outdoor shower, framing views across open fields. A timber terrace with lounge seating and firepit becomes the natural gathering place, shaded by a mature tree preserved in the design. Dune grasses and hydrangeas occupy bordered beds, their soft textures and the existing trees weaving a verdant dreamscape around the clean-lined building.

www.schroetgens-architekten.de

Photography Credits:

Christian Köster
www.koester-fotografie.de

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 03|22)