Renovation Rooted in Memory
A residential home is thoughtfully expanded and modernized, honoring its original character.
Several years ago, a young family with two children purchased this 1950s home in Cologne-Lindenthal, situated near the city forest. Over time, it became clear the house lacked a flexible, multipurpose space for fitness, music, and play. The architectural firm Uhlig Architekten was commissioned to explore possibilities through various design concepts—with a simple directive: "Surprise us; nothing is off limits." Multiple scenarios were studied, ranging from selective renovation to complete demolition and rebuild. Ultimately, the owners' deep connection to their home guided the decision: a sensitive renovation that would expand the living space within the roof structure while respecting the building's original form. The result is a home that feels distinctly contemporary both inside and out, yet maintains a clear dialogue with its past.
The renovation's greatest technical hurdle was the existing building structure: the concrete deck of the attic space wasn't engineered for residential loads. The entire attic and all load-bearing walls of the upper floor required demolition and structural reconstruction. This allowed the retained gable roof to rise approximately 60 cm. Freed of overhangs and offset floor levels, the fully insulated structure now reads as geometrically refined and distinctly modern. A corner-glazed roof terrace, oriented toward the garden, floods the interior with natural light. Reconstructing the attic also elevated the upper floor rooms: two of the three bedrooms and a study now open to the roof slope in a dramatic one-and-a-half-story configuration. Street-facing rooms gain additional daylight through north-facing skylights. The material palette was carefully curated to echo the home's original character while aging gracefully: Solnhofer natural stone from the quarry itself graces the entry and kitchen, chosen for its unified color tone. Living areas feature large-format herringbone oak parquet, as before. Shell limestone trim on windows and façade wall panels evoke the original window ledges. Energy performance is built for the future: a water-source heat pump with a ground loop in the front garden supplies underfloor heating with passive cooling capability.
Photography Credits:
Tom May
(Featured in CUBE Cologne Bonn 02|22)
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