Kreor Architects + Engineers from Neckarsulm transformed this birthplace and family home into a barrier-free, light-filled sanctuary—one that redefines how its residents experience daily life. The project began with a fundamental question: could this childhood home truly serve as a retirement residence? The decision to renovate went beyond practicality; it reflected a deeper aspiration to breathe new life into a cherished place while honoring the memories woven into its walls.

The central challenge was clear: create a wheelchair-accessible home that marries functional accessibility with timeless, understated architecture. A magnolia tree in the garden became essential—its preservation fundamentally shaped the ground floor extension's footprint and form. Using timber frame construction allowed for meticulous calibration to the existing structure. The new top-floor apartment was thoughtfully designed as future live-in caregiver space, ensuring residents maintain independence for years to come. Interior spaces emerged through close collaboration with the homeowner, emphasizing natural materials, tactile surfaces, and restrained forms. Wood became the design anchor—both structural necessity and atmospheric presence. A palette of natural pigments, layered with intuitive daylight and carefully positioned artificial lighting, cultivates warmth and comfort throughout.

Sustainability wasn't rhetoric here—it shaped every decision. Preserving the existing structure, partnering with local craftspeople, and deliberately minimizing technical systems formed the project's resource-conscious foundation. A smart building management system optimizes energy use, while passive strategies like green shading and natural ventilation regulate climate. The design shines through its restrained spatial composition: it honors what came before while opening new possibilities for self-determined living. The result is a home that turns the page on a new chapter—modern and practical, yet deeply rooted in memory.

www.kreor.de

Photography:
Rainer Retzlaff
www.rainerretzlaff.com

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 04|25)