The enduring appeal of Wilhelmine-era buildings lies in more than just their atmospheric charm—their adaptable spatial layouts make them ideal for reinvention. This proved true for a protected residential ensemble in central Düsseldorf, where a two-story office unit needed transformation into a spacious family home. The young, internationally minded couple envisioned replacing compartmentalized rooms with open, flowing spaces for living, working, and entertaining—suffused with natural light and overlooking the courtyard garden. Böhme Bertossi Architects undertook a comprehensive renovation, carefully restructuring the interior while preserving the building's essential character. The result: a thoughtfully reconfigured layout that honors both the space's historic structure and the residents' contemporary lifestyle.

The designers faced a familiar yet demanding challenge: maximizing usable living space while creating something truly special. Within the fixed perimeter walls, they orchestrated a layout that expands the sense of square footage while maintaining carefully balanced proportions and intuitive flow. The awkward office configuration gave way to a series of interconnected rooms with unobstructed sight lines to the garden. Former storage closets were reimagined as distinctly appointed bathrooms—each with its own toilet, and the lower-level ensuite offering a Japanese-style soaking tub with separate shower adjacent to the master bedroom, positioned for those essential views of nature. Across the ground floor, sightlines stretch continuously through the living spaces, drawing daylight throughout. In the more enclosed entry vestibule, recessed ceiling details create an illusion of natural light where windows weren't possible. The architects pared back structural elements and dividing walls, replacing the original staircase wall with a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit that serves as an elegant room divider—its dark frame dramatically illuminated from behind by a translucent satin glass backdrop. The material palette reflects similar restraint: crisp white walls and ceilings, warm Italian porcelain tile in entry and baths, and rich dark oak flooring that grounds the spaces with warmth and texture. Sixteen months of thoughtful planning and execution later, the couple moved into their transformed home.

www.boehme-bertossi.de

Photography Credits:

Jens Kirchner
www.jens-kirchner.com

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 02|22)