Taking another architect's foundational design and refining it into an optimal solution for the client is no routine undertaking. Berg Architecture & Interior in Essen rose to this compelling challenge, collaborating closely with Treutlein Interior Design to create ideas as striking as they are cohesive—concepts that flow naturally throughout the home while honoring the clients' personal vision.

Let's start from the beginning. Spanning 870 m² on the ground floor and 480 m² above, this residence sits on a gently sloping 5,000 m² plot that cascades toward forest views at the rear. It's an idyllic setting for a growing family—their impressive 40-meter-long home nestled quietly among rolling terrain. A Swiss architect's original concept provided the home's structural framework, but Berg Architecture & Interior's task was to bring it to life through thoughtful material choices, forms, and color while keeping the practical function of each space in sharp focus. The exterior speaks in the language of natural stone and untreated materials—no plaster, no paint. On the garden side, floor-to-ceiling windows dissolve boundaries, bringing the surrounding landscape into intimate reach. Despite its substantial footprint, the home sits gracefully in its landscape, never dominating. The street-facing elevation, entry gates, and forecourt complete the architectural statement.

The interior speaks a language of refined geometry and timeless modernity. The building's length creates an uninterrupted sightline from living spaces through to the kitchen—social zones flow into intimate retreats. Private quarters remain deliberately removed from the main living area, offering sanctuary for each family member. Every bedroom features its own ensuite with natural stone washbasins, rainfall showers, sculptural lighting niches, and integrated storage. The parents' generous master suite combines bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, and spa-like bathroom.

The spiral steel staircase in the foyer is pure drama—an extravagant sculptural form that connects floors with surprising grace and weightlessness despite its impressive scale. Full-height doors and glass panels amplify its sculptural presence. A two-storey ceiling fixture and monumental wall art make clear how seamlessly architecture and interior design merge into one aesthetic statement.

Designing and executing extraordinary spatial concepts lies at the heart of Treutlein Interior Design's practice. Patrick Treutlein walks through several project examples: "Custom pieces like the 'Cleo' sofa with its integrated table and embedded outlets, high-end modular wall systems, flush fabric-wrapped doors, the Molteni kitchen, a meticulously orchestrated lighting scheme, and furnishings that delight both eye and touch—together they satisfy every functional demand." Michael Berg adds: "This extraordinary composition—stretching linear forms paired with soft, rounded elements—works in concert with the furnishings to achieve complete visual harmony." Nothing here was arbitrary. Every detail was thoughtfully selected and expertly executed: Italian natural stone laid in Roman bond, wide-plank parquet, bespoke cabinetry, and the staircase itself—a masterwork of metalcraft.

www.berg.partners
www.treutlein-flagshipstore.de

Photography:
Manos Meisen
www.manosmeisen.de

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 01|25)