A secluded courtyard lined with historic industrial buildings in Langenfeld—formerly home to equipment manufacturer Keller—held remarkable potential as a residential destination. Its quiet setting, shielded from the busy main road, made it ideal for transformation. Rotterdam Dakowski Architects from Leverkusen seized this opportunity, renovating three existing structures and introducing two new buildings to create an accessible, vibrant residential community complete with office space. The result thoughtfully honors the site's industrial heritage while breathing new life into it.

Tucked behind a private approach road, the roughly 4,000 m² site encompassed a four-storey industrial mill, a two-storey workshop, and a substantial steel-framed hall. Extensively renovated and reimagined for residential use, the existing structures presented a defining challenge: preserving their distinctive architectural character while meeting contemporary building physics and fire safety standards. The mill's historic barrel vault with steel girders demanded innovative solutions, particularly when integrated with new balcony supports. The conversion of the hall—now housing the majority of 23 residences—required equally sophisticated thinking. To maintain the original steel frame while creating multiple fire compartments and ensuring barrier-free access with elevators, architects wrapped the heritage structure in a new solid envelope. A preserved crane track in the entrance hall pays homage to its industrial past. After removing obsolete outbuildings, two new two-storey structures and an underground garage were added, completing the inner courtyard—a central gathering space that enriches residents' daily lives. Old and new architecture speak the same language: the existing red brick clinker inspired the new buildings' matching red brick facades, both complemented by golden anodized metal panels with distinctive textures. The entire western facade of the hall shines beneath a delicate chevron-profiled cladding that captures attention, while entrances and corner windows are highlighted with smoother paneling throughout. The resulting apartments—mostly barrier-free with highly individual layouts—feature soaring ceilings up to five metres. Restored exposed masonry and glass partitions (rather than conventional drywall) preserve the expansive loft atmosphere. The outcome: industrial character reimagined for today, with unmistakable personality.

www.rotterdam-dakowski.de

Photography:

Andreas Wiese
www.fotografie-wiese.de

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 02|24)