In Othmarschen, developer Rath has comprehensively renovated and thoughtfully modernized an early 20th-century single-family home. The facade and roof surfaces have been restored, the floor plan reorganized, and the building extended with a rear addition. The client's goal was to preserve the evolved building fabric while creating open, contemporary living spaces.

The addition echoes the rhythm of the existing structure and expands the program without disrupting the character of the historic facade. The quietly rendered, brilliantly white exterior envelope remains faithful to the period style; the window divisions were reconstructed with historical accuracy and complemented by traditional shutters. This keeps the building anchored in the streetscape while appearing clearer and more refined. A distinctive feature: the new construction sits approximately one meter lower than the existing building. Yet the ceiling line of the ground floor continues seamlessly, creating a generous, flowing living space that harmoniously unites historic proportions with modern living and working areas. Large window expanses, continuous lines, and a light material palette flood the space with natural light and create a welcoming atmosphere. Inside, carefully chosen contemporary touches meet classical details. Open structures with steel loft doors lend an urban character to the ground floor, while herringbone parquet, Hamburg baseboards, and traditional paneled doors preserve the charm of the Gründerzeit era.

The interplay feels vital rather than museological: tradition provides the foundation, modernity the continuation. The spatial program follows this same approach. On the ground floor, a stately entrance hall opens directly into the kitchen-living area, the heart of the home. This flows seamlessly into the generous living space in the addition, which bridges old and new through its depth and openness. The first floor houses the children's rooms, with spacious bedrooms and play areas. The attic, finished to the peak, is the parents' retreat. Steel and glass elements with exposed structures introduce contemporary accents. The result is a house that honors its history while fully inhabiting the present: meticulously restored, purposefully expanded, and executed with meticulous attention to detail. It is more than a living space—it is a place where past and present stand together in harmonious balance.

www.mueller-kirchenbauer.de
www.rath-gmbh.de

Photography:
Arnt Haug
www.arnt-haug.de

(Published in CUBE Hamburg 01|26)