It is the last remaining courtyard farmstead in Düsseldorf-Heerdt. Locals simply call it the "Mäschig-Hof," its original designation. This nearly 200-year-old property has recently been given a new lease on life. Development company Bahners und Schmitz made the strategic decision to preserve the building's significant architecture while transforming it into their new office headquarters. Partnering with Klobusch Architekten, the owners tackled an ambitious renovation. Their vision was twofold: create a workspace where employees thrive, and showcase the property as a model showroom for their extensive rental portfolio.

But first, the entire complex required a comprehensive restoration from the ground up. With meticulous care, existing structures and elements were preserved to honor the building's architectural past and extend the lifecycle of these historic walls—aligned with circular economy principles. Spread across three stories and over 900 m², the space unfolds as a carefully orchestrated design experience: natural stone flooring, parquet in various finishes and carpeting, loft-style glass doors, contemporary lighting fixtures, light coves beneath newly installed ceilings, surfaces in black, beige, grey, mint, and petrol tones, wood-clad walls, bespoke kitchens, and much more. The crowning jewel: a striking matte black metal spiral staircase anchoring the entrance. Equal emphasis was placed on the interplay between "heritage and high-tech." A groundwater heat pump and PV systems reduce energy consumption, while charging stations support the company's electric vehicle fleet. Rainwater harvesting systems conserve precious drinking water wherever feasible. With these technological innovations, the courtyard farm can operate with complete energy independence.

A year on, neighbors still pause at the courtyard entrance to admire the transformation. In this tight-knit Heerdt community, the Mäschig-Hof's revival has become a point of pride—a striking complement to the neighboring neo-Gothic Church of St. Benediktus.

www.bahners-schmitz.de

Photography:
Gordon Bussiek
www.gordonbussiek.de

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 01|25)