In search of an inner-city development site, the developer discovered an ideal opportunity on Monheimsallee in Aachen—one of the city's busiest thoroughfares. A small vacant lot awaited revival on this historic street in the imperial city. The site's history was compelling: a building once stood here, destroyed by bombing during World War II and subsequently rebuilt only to first-floor level. After careful structural safeguarding of the neighboring gables, the existing two-story structure was demolished, making way for a complete redevelopment under architect Karl-Heinz Ohler.

However, execution proved far more nuanced than a conventional suburban development. "Since Monheimsallee is home to several protected landmarks, the heritage authority was involved from our initial concept," the architect explains. "That presented a real challenge – we had to win them over to our contemporary façade design." The street-facing elevation needed to honour the character of neighbouring heritage buildings by echoing their design vocabulary. These typically feature neoclassical façades from the 19th and early 20th centuries – three-window townhouses with bays that project either centrally or asymmetrically, often spanning two full storeys.

To honor this architectural vocabulary, the new building's façade was carefully opened up, extending the bay window treatment across nearly its entire height. "We originally envisioned this for the full elevation," Ohler notes, "but refined the concept through collaborative dialogue with the heritage authority." A further complexity lay in optimizing the constrained footprint: designing floor plans that would be both functionally efficient and genuinely spacious and open—essential to justify the premium rental positioning the client envisioned.

The result: a thoughtfully designed five-unit residential building. The narrow, wrap-around floor plan meant each unit consists of two rooms, making them ideal for couples and single professionals. The exception is the maisonette in the top floor, which offers additional square footage and enhanced amenities, including a gas fireplace. Generous balconies overlooking the garden add valuable outdoor living space to all five units.

www.ohler-architekten.de

Photography:
Jörg Hempel
www.joerg-hempel.com

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 04|25)