After an extensive search, the couple finally discovered their ideal location: a hillside plot in Königswinter offering expansive views across the Rhine Valley to Bonn's Post Tower. Architect Klaus Mäs of Bornheim faced an intriguing challenge—to architecturally frame this stunning landscape and bring it into dialogue with the home's design. His solution: a compact, monolithic cube that seamlessly reconciles the steeply sloped terrain with the family's spatial needs and lifestyle requirements.

The residential design captivates through its geometric purity: like a sculpted object, cube-shaped volumes are carved from the primary mass, reducing the visual weight of the brick structure. This clarity extends to the floor plan, where the ground level is divided into four equal quadrants arranged in a cross: arrival, kitchen and dining, living, and outdoor terrace. Visitors approach via a drive leading to the recessed entry, which opens into a generous foyer. The staircase acts as a subtle boundary without blocking sightlines—its delicate metal balustrade offers glimpses through to the living space beyond, hinting at the expansive views to come. Rather than a separate dining zone, the kitchen and dining functions merge seamlessly: the generous island serves equally well for cooking and dining, accommodating multiple guests with ease. A remarkable focal point is the two-story living space: floor-to-ceiling windows with mullioned frames reveal spectacular views across the Rhine Valley, while window-seat alcoves provide inviting places to pause and absorb the landscape. The seating naturally evolves into a media console with integrated entertainment wall, flowing organically to a wood-burning fireplace that radiates warmth and comfort into the living area. The terrace connects to both kitchen and living zones. An adjacent staircase descends to the garden level below, featuring a covered terrace, open stairs, and a natural stone pool nestled into the landscape. While the exterior-accessed garden floor houses the children's zone, the parents' suite—complete with bathroom and walk-in closet—occupies the upper floor. A broad sliding glass wall transitions to an exposed square balcony, again framing the valley beyond. Geothermal heating, paired with rooftop solar panels, powers the home's climate systems.

www.klausmaes.de

Living space: 240 m²
Plot size: 800 m²
Construction period: 12 months
Construction method: Solid masonry
Energy systems: Geothermal heat pump, wood-burning fireplace, photovoltaic panels

Photography:
Philip Kistner
www.philipkistner.com

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 02|24)