In Nienstedten, a once-neglected cottage has been reimagined as an architectural treasure. The historic 1867 listed building seamlessly connects with a contemporary wooden extension, forming a harmonious ensemble. Since 2023, "Die kleine Ehre" – an exclusive business hideaway spanning just 80 m² – has welcomed companies and individuals for meetings, seminars, and training sessions. Thoughtfully appointed throughout, this distinctive venue reflects host Christoph Drescher's belief in the enduring value of face-to-face dialogue and personal connection in today's era of flexible work and evolving office spaces.

The vision was to craft flexible spaces that accommodate various conversation styles and work modes, all within a confined footprint. Customizable lighting and modular furnishings allow each room to adapt seamlessly to guests' needs. The house also functions as an overnight retreat, offering all the comforts of a small apartment. Working from Frank Stille's initial concept, the architecture firm BiwerMau meticulously renovated and extended this historic cottage, transforming it into a sustainable, contemporary workspace and living environment. Critical to gaining heritage authority approval was the dialogue between the two structures—their materiality and proportions carefully choreographed. The slender connector building respects each house's individuality while binding them together. The fireplace room in the original cottage showcases solid oak flooring, anchored by a bespoke panoramic fireplace. A subtle stone ledge runs along the perimeter, lending the space understated character. Carefully chosen furnishings—inviting leather wingbacks and a leather-clad minibar—cultivate an atmosphere that draws you in. By day, the top floor becomes a tranquil retreat with a generous daybed; by evening, it morphs into a complete, welcoming bedroom. In-wall radiant heating delivers perfect climate control without visible radiators. The modern extension speaks in clean lines and restraint—clad in Siberian larch with a standing-seam zinc roof. It houses the studio and bath. Polished concrete screed, minimalist frameless sliding doors, and flush-mounted baseboards reinforce the refined aesthetic. The studio's focal point is a monolithic table carved from the heartwood of a centuries-old tree. Its distinctive surface—shaped by fire, water, and chainsaw—renders it a living artifact, bearing the marks of time and craftsmanship.

Woven throughout both buildings is a signature design detail: wooden cubes veneered in oak, each painstakingly crafted from a single tree. They frame the bathroom, form the kitchenette, provide storage and wardrobe space, and discreetly tuck away mechanical systems. The kitchen counter is hot-rolled stainless steel, while the handcrafted cabinetry conceals all necessary appliances—induction cooktop, dishwasher, steam oven, warming drawer, washing machine, and dryer. Every corner of both structures reveals considered technical details that deliver effortless comfort.

www.die-kleine-ehre.de

Photography:

Heike Corrodi

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 02|24)