This 1970s terraced bungalow proves that period homes can be transformed into real showstoppers. TeamGeissert's renovation demonstrates how thoughtful design and energy efficiency can breathe new life into dated architecture. The challenge: create a greater sense of spaciousness within the existing footprint—roughly 130 m² of living area. The solution was bold and transformative. The architects stripped away numerous walls and doors, opening up the convoluted floor plan into a flowing spatial sequence. The guest room became the new kitchen, the original kitchen expanded the dining area, and part of the living room was reimagined as a spa-like bathroom. By eliminating the maze of small rooms and the building's rigid geometric language, the team created a home that finally feels open and inviting.

With rooms arranged in a horseshoe around an interior courtyard that once turned inward, the architects saw opportunity. They transformed the courtyard into an extension of the living space—erasing the boundary between inside and out. The result: even more breathing room and a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Every material choice whispers rather than shouts. Coarse-grained shell limestone floors and walls ground the ground floor and courtyard in subtle elegance, while white oiled smoked oak warms the upper level. In the bathroom, furniture dissolves into mirrored wall elements and open niches. A restrained lighting scheme—combining soft ambient light with carefully placed spotlights—reinforces the aesthetic discipline throughout: form, materiality, and color reduced to their essentials.

Beyond the aesthetic transformation, the home received a comprehensive energy upgrade. Working with an energy consultant, the team optimized the condensing boiler with hydraulic balancing, installed underfloor heating, and resized radiators for peak efficiency. New windows and doors, combined with targeted insulation improvements, complete the modernization—proving that sustainability and timeless design go hand in hand.

www.teamgeissert.de

Photography Credits:

Wolfgang Uhlig
www.wolfganguhlig.de

(Featured in CUBE Frankfurt 02|22)