In 1954, architect Fido Spröde designed a modest residential home on the outskirts of Dortmund. Years of vacancy had left it in deplorable condition—until a young family saw its potential. Rather than watch it face demolition, they purchased the property and entrusted its restoration to Thomas Schmidt of SSP in Bochum. Schmidt's environmentally conscious approach proved transformative: his sensitive, minimal-intervention renovation earned the prestigious Europe-wide "Häuser-Award 2022," recognizing the project's exemplary sustainability standards.

Situated on a 750 m² plot within an established residential neighborhood, this mid-century gem captivates with its understated elegance. The restoration strategy was clear: honor the home's inherent character, recover existing sustainable materials wherever possible, and introduce new elements with restraint. Externally, the dark clay roof tiles, dormer, solid wooden entrance door, original wooden windows, terracotta accents, and light natural stone base—complete with its distinctive lattice-brick foundation—were carefully preserved. Four wooden roof windows and six triple-glazed aluminum windows on the ground floor complement these original features. Inside, removing two walls created an expansive living zone where cooking, dining, and working flow seamlessly onto the terrace and garden through a generous double-glazed door system. Oiled oak flooring grounds the main living space, while restored wooden radiator covers and marble stone benches add warmth. Solnhofen tiles grace the hallways and staircase, where mineral finishes on walls and ceilings introduce subtle color. The upper floor's well-proportioned layout remained intact: natural-fiber carpet softens bedrooms and the children's room, while refreshing mosaic porcelain brings the bathroom and WC to life. All plumbing and electrical systems were modernized—lighting converted to LED and the heating system optimized with new burners and pumps—while a fireplace warms the open living area. "Our approach prioritized sufficiency at every turn," Thomas Schmidt reflects, "keeping our ecological footprint as minimal as possible." The home opens to visitors during Germany's Open Monument Day each September.

www.ssp.ag

Photography Credits:

Joachim Schumacher
www.joschumacherfotografie.de

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 02|22)