What extraordinary times those were—the economic miracle in full bloom, the future shimmering with possibility, and building unburdened by constraint. This was the era of the Sixties. The embodiment of transparency, lightness, and cosmopolitan vision was epitomized in those years by Sep Ruf's Chancellor's Bungalow in Bonn—a building type that seems to have slipped from contemporary consciousness today.

A single-family home in Westend is experiencing quite the renaissance. Zappe Architekten from Berlin was commissioned to modernize and significantly expand a modest family residence perched on a sloping site with a flat roof. Stefan Zappe and Jan Krahe designed and oversaw all project phases from inception to completion. The result: a bungalow reinvented. The deteriorating roof of the small home necessitated a complete renovation—an opportunity the architects seized together with the owner to create a contemporary, enlarged dwelling. Through thoughtful design interventions, the house now radiates in fresh splendor, appearing both light and transparent.

Thanks to the sloping terrain, the entry area—complete with wardrobe, guest apartment, and guest bathroom—sits at the lower level. A gentle staircase ascends into the primary living spaces, which unfold naturally on the level plateau above. A newly landscaped garden with mature trees provides privacy from outside view. The U-shaped original structure, comprising a shorter and longer wing, was expanded with two winter gardens; solid walls gave way to glazed sliding elements, flooding the entire building with natural light and transparency. The home's interior orbits around a centrally positioned kitchen. From here, one flows naturally into the dining area, living space, and an adjoining north-facing office. To the south lie the bathroom, dressing room, and bedroom, fronted by one of the two new winter gardens and a smaller western-facing terrace. The living room, also oriented west, extends seamlessly into the landscape through the larger winter garden and generous terrace. The terrace appears to hover slightly above the pond that borders the property. A canopy links both winter gardens, supported by columns that subtly echo the branches of the surrounding trees. With minimal yet remarkably effective interventions and additions, an entirely new home emerges within a verdant sanctuary. The living space has grown to a generous 189 m², and this newly created bungalow could easily pass for an authentic 1960s original.

www.zappearchitekten.de

Photography Credits:

Caroline Prange
www.carolineprange.com

(Published in CUBE Berlin 02|20)