A Modern Restoration
in Hamburg

The house, spanning approximately 1,000 m², was originally divided into three separate residential units. In addition, it featured both a full basement and a spacious attic. The property also included a large garden with direct and private access to the Alster, offering an exceptional connection to nature right in the heart of the city.

The goal was to transform the property into a spacious single-family home for a family of six. To meet the family’s needs, I divided the house into two central zones:
– one for living, socializing, and working,
– and one for rest and retreat.


The main living level on the ground floor was designed to feel open and fluid, while still maintaining a sense of structure. The kitchen, living area, and playroom flow naturally into one another, yet remain visually distinct. A clear sightline runs from the entrance through the glass elevator, the kitchen, and onward to the large garden windows—directly emphasizing the property’s most unique feature: its private access to the Alster. This continuous visual axis is underlined by twelve-meter-long wooden floorboards, guiding the eye from indoors to outdoors.

At the heart of the home lies the living level, which I wanted to feel generous and full of light. By opening the ceiling above the kitchen, a double-height space was created, extending toward an eight-meter-high steel-framed glass façade. The tall birch trees outside enhance the sense of height and openness, blurring the boundary between the interior and the garden.
Along one wall, a staircase leads to the first floor, forming a direct visual and functional connection between the family’s daily life and the work areas above. This upper level features a gallery, two adjoining offices, and a media room. A large wooden wall element unites the kitchen and living room: on one side, it integrates a kitchen cabinet, and on the other, a TV unit with a cozy sofa area—creating a seamless transition between the two zones.


Unlike traditional Hamburg villas, I decided against a formal dining room. The spacious kitchen table provides ample gathering space, while the extra area was used to create a children’s playroom—placing family life and children’s activities on the same level. Every function has its place, yet everyone remains together.
The second floor houses the children’s rooms and two large bathrooms, while the top floor serves as a private retreat for the parents, including a small fitness room.

The basement accommodates a garage, storage rooms, a laundry room, and a guest suite with its own bathroom.
Throughout the home, I aimed to create a loft-like aesthetic—most evident in the stairwell, which connects all floors. Four key materials define this space:
– Pandomo concrete finish for the stairs,
– black steel railings that echo the window and door frames,
– and exposed red brickwork, revealed by uncovering the original wall—celebrating the home’s authentic character while merging old and new.