Tucked away in a residential community on a quiet cul-de-sac in southern Bonn, this sloping plot reveals its true treasure at its highest point: sweeping views across the valley basin of an adjacent nature reserve. To maximize this vista, architect Andrea Wirges-Klein designed a minimalist cube that serves a four-person family and their dog with ample everyday living space—while simultaneously functioning as a serene retreat and wellness sanctuary, thanks to its thoughtful amenities.

The design is shaped by the site's relatively narrow footprint, which opens westward toward the valley. The straightforward two-storey form presents a restrained street façade with minimal fenestration. The home reveals its true character at the north-facing entrance, where a striking wide door finished in refined, relief-textured timber detailing commands attention. A slender vertical band of windows, spanning both storeys, flanks this composition and offers glimpses into the double-height entry sequence. The garage tucks discreetly alongside, clad in fibre cement panels. From the garden and the lower-level pool, the two upper floors—rendered in soft taupe—appear to float above the darker base storey. The façade's key accent is the expansive, floor-to-ceiling panoramic window that dominates the living and dining zones, framing Mediterranean-inspired gardens and distant landscape views in one continuous frame.

Upon entry, a soaring vertical volume greets visitors—a dramatic void anchored by a striking cantilever concrete staircase with sculptural folds. Suspended lighting and flush-mounted LED strips dramatically illuminate the stairwell after dark. The open-plan living, cooking, and dining zones spill seamlessly onto a generous garden terrace through expansive glazing, with steps leading directly to the landscape beyond. The fireplace—finished in tactile dark fine plaster—anchors the fluid layout, while the kitchen elements and generous loft doors are all rendered in warm matte black. This warmth contrasts beautifully with the light-toned seamless concrete-look floor, handcrafted using a specialist technique that brings calm and openness to the entire ground level.

The upper floor features oak parquet throughout and accommodates children's bedrooms, a children's bath, and a separate parents' wing accessed through a sliding door. The garden-facing bedroom connects to a dressing room and an expansive master bath—also garden-oriented—complete with shower, separate toilet, and a freestanding tub overlooking the landscape. Large-format sand-toned tiles, Corian washbasins, oak shelving, and bespoke cabinetry combine to create a bright, welcoming sanctuary. A smaller guest WC on the ground floor makes a bold statement with dark ornamental tilework and accent lighting. The fully basementted lower level houses utilities and technical systems alongside a generous wellness zone: a cosy sauna with windows and vestibule sits just steps from the outdoor pool via the garden. Energy performance is paramount—an air-to-water heat pump paired with solar panels manages heating and cooling, while a smart home system orchestrates shading, security, and climate control.

www.wirges-klein.de

Photography:
Marcel Kohnen
www.marcelkohnen.de

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 01|25)