Both the design and the technical equipment had to be more than just state of the art: the owners wanted a spacious, purist ambience for themselves and their three children – with perfectly crafted, minimalist details that did not compromise on comfort. It was particularly important to the couple that the building architecture, interior and lighting concept blended harmoniously together. Technical perfection and maximum comfort were to be achieved through a comprehensive smart home control system: all technical functions were to be controllable remotely at any time via iPhone.

After extensive research, the clients commissioned Skandella Architektur und Innenarchitektur, an architectural firm based in Cologne, to develop a design that would take advantage of the sloping terrain of the property. The cubic structure is elevated above street level and is therefore on the same level as the rear garden and terrace area. The cantilevers and recesses of the various functional areas give it a particularly sculptural appearance on all sides. The upper floor, which is characterised by a felt plaster façade, appears to float above the exceptionally transparent ground floor. In contrast, both floors are visually interlinked towards the garden by a solid-looking fireplace block made of handmade Kolumba clinker bricks.

Visitors are guided through terraces with minimal planting to the entrance area, which opens up the building like a wide joint thanks to its glass transparency extending the full height of the building. The entrance hall is characterised by an imposing air space and a minimalist staircase with equally transparent balustrades. The open-plan living area opens up generously on the ground floor: floor-to-ceiling, electrically controlled glazing in combination with large-format porcelain stoneware tiles ensure that the interior and exterior spaces flow seamlessly into one another. The corner mirror pool adjoins the terrace without interruption. On the upper floor, the parents' suite with dressing room and wellness bathroom, configured as a retreat, as well as the children's wing, a guest area and a study are grouped around the spacious patio. The atrium, which opens onto the façade, offers space for a large whirlpool, which can be flexibly protected from view by external blinds, so that after a sauna and steam bath, you can really relax undisturbed under the open sky. Almost all of the furniture was designed by the architects as built-in furniture, with all surfaces given a lacquer finish. A particular eye-catcher is the cooking block in the kitchen, which not only incorporates hobs, extractor fan and sink. An Aquascape aquarium with iridescent ornamental fish provides a feast for the eyes – with all the control and supply technology located in the basement, as is the temperature-controlled wine cellar. Great attention was paid to integrating the building services as invisibly as possible: for example, the entire air conditioning system, including the scent diffusion system, disappears completely into the built-in furniture, and the external awning can also be completely retracted into the wall. To ensure maximum ease of use for lighting, music and video, as well as burglary protection, heating, cooling and external blinds, a smart home and multi-room entertainment concept was implemented, which can be flexibly controlled via an app.

www.skandella.com

Living space: 470 m²
Plot size: 2,224 m²
Planning and construction time: 2.5 years
Construction method: Solid construction
Energy concept: Air-water heat pump