Since 2008, pier7 architects from Düsseldorf have demonstrated their sensitivity to context—first with a community centre for the Protestant parish of Gerresheim that respectfully integrates with the surrounding heritage buildings, and now with this new project across Hardenbergstraße. A barrier-free apartment building was designed for the parish, its complex form and measured proportions allowing it to sit naturally within the neighbourhood's varied character. The site, previously occupied only by a dilapidated single-storey rectory, presented an opportunity for more efficient use through a multi-storey residential development. Positioned at a street corner between dense period architecture on one side and lower, more scattered residential buildings on the other, the design challenge was clear: finding the right scale for a new structure amid such architectural diversity. The solution comes in the form of a three to four-storey building that aligns respectfully with neighbouring properties while stepping back in height on both street and garden fronts. Crucially, the steeply pitched roof planes on three sides create a subtle visual transition, softening the connection heights between the new building and its neighbours.

The sculptural roof form gains further expression through a restrained, monochromatic palette: light grey unifies the brush-finished plaster façade, wood-aluminium windows with their external blinds, fibre cement roof panels, and safety railings—a cohesive, understated presence in the urban landscape. The floor plans, however, tell a more varied story. Nine individually configured units, flooded with light and fully accessible, range from one to four-and-a-half rooms, each featuring generous balconies and terraces. Two maisonettes add flexibility, capable of being subdivided into smaller units as needed. Beyond housing, the building serves a broader purpose: the ground floor and basement provide day care facilities for primary school children through the Diakonie social welfare organisation. Sustainability is built in from the start: a roof-mounted air-source heat pump with underfloor heating, controlled ventilation through window-integrated units, two duplex garages with EV charging capability, and a bike storage area with e-charging stations. A rooftop photovoltaic system will follow in the next phase.

www.pier7-architekten.de

Photos:
Michael Reisch
www.michaelreisch.net

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 01|25)