Houzz Tour: From German Gingerbread Factory to Family Home
A courtyard draws light into a sustainable house where warm wood and industrial asphalt mix
Architect Jochen Reetz was asked to turn this former gingerbread bakery in Cologne, Germany, into a family home. Working with only the shell of the original building, he had to look for creative ways to anchor the space to its industrial roots.
Reetz used a restrained palette and unusual materials, such as the asphalt flooring throughout. He balanced these industrial touches with warm oak and two garden areas that bring plenty of daylight into the home’s open spaces. He also incorporated sustainable heating and electrical solutions.
Reetz used a restrained palette and unusual materials, such as the asphalt flooring throughout. He balanced these industrial touches with warm oak and two garden areas that bring plenty of daylight into the home’s open spaces. He also incorporated sustainable heating and electrical solutions.
Ground floor (EG), top, middle and bottom rows, left to right: neighboring house, kitchen, dining room, entrance, bathroom, yard, living room, inner courtyard, office and storage area. Second floor (OG), counterclockwise from top: neighboring house, TV room, bathroom, bedroom, inner courtyard and multipurpose room.
From the beginning, Reetz and his clients knew that they wanted to retain the building’s industrial character. A large space on the ground floor and another above were Reetz’s starting points. “The building was, in any case, completely rundown and a real mess,” he says. He managed to preserve the factory’s outer walls, staircase and hand-fired bricks. Everything else was torn down.
From the beginning, Reetz and his clients knew that they wanted to retain the building’s industrial character. A large space on the ground floor and another above were Reetz’s starting points. “The building was, in any case, completely rundown and a real mess,” he says. He managed to preserve the factory’s outer walls, staircase and hand-fired bricks. Everything else was torn down.
Diagram labels, top to bottom: original shell, fire safety clearance, inner courtyard, black box, original and goal
German building codes required the original shell to be preserved. Fortunately, Reetz and his clients managed to persuade the building authority to let them construct an inner courtyard, which serves as the home’s main source of daylight.
So the architect was able to implement a flexible open-plan concept that meets building codes while satisfying his clients’ wishes. The ground floor features a large living space with functional areas that merge into one another, while the upper story contains individual rooms.
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German building codes required the original shell to be preserved. Fortunately, Reetz and his clients managed to persuade the building authority to let them construct an inner courtyard, which serves as the home’s main source of daylight.
So the architect was able to implement a flexible open-plan concept that meets building codes while satisfying his clients’ wishes. The ground floor features a large living space with functional areas that merge into one another, while the upper story contains individual rooms.
Find an architect near you on Houzz
The cantilevered staircase is attached to a boundary wall between this house and the neighboring one.
“Since the neighbor was worried about noise from the stairs, we did a noise study and put antivibration mats under the wooden planks to be on the safe side,” Reetz says.
The owners run a plastering, finishing and renovation business, so they paid special attention to details and materials.
“Since the neighbor was worried about noise from the stairs, we did a noise study and put antivibration mats under the wooden planks to be on the safe side,” Reetz says.
The owners run a plastering, finishing and renovation business, so they paid special attention to details and materials.
The team went for an unusual mix of materials to preserve the feel of the old industrial bakery. On the one hand, plasterboard, raw textured plaster, an all-gray color scheme and a floor made of mastic asphalt (the material roads are often paved with) come together for a pared-back overall style. On the other hand, oak on features like the doors and staircase treads provides a warm contrast and gives the rooms a cozier feel.
These stairs lead to the second floor and the basement.
These stairs lead to the second floor and the basement.
Collaborating with these clients was a lot of fun for the architect. “They were enthusiastic, brave and have good taste,” Reetz says.
He especially liked their courageous choices and their love for the building’s old hand-fired bricks. The bricks were removed and cleaned before being used to cover the courtyard’s walls and floor. Not only did this satisfy the project’s conservational aims, but the bricks also provide a contrast to the dark plaster facade.
He especially liked their courageous choices and their love for the building’s old hand-fired bricks. The bricks were removed and cleaned before being used to cover the courtyard’s walls and floor. Not only did this satisfy the project’s conservational aims, but the bricks also provide a contrast to the dark plaster facade.
“In terms of structure and building codes, creating the backyard and preserving the building was certainly something out of the ordinary. Communication with the building authority was constructive and cooperative,” Reetz says.
“The renovation was problem-free, thanks to the client’s experience. Certain details were only possible with their experience in the field of construction — for example, the uncovered cornice. I particularly like how it meets the roof [of the main building] and the ledge that covers it,” he says.
“The renovation was problem-free, thanks to the client’s experience. Certain details were only possible with their experience in the field of construction — for example, the uncovered cornice. I particularly like how it meets the roof [of the main building] and the ledge that covers it,” he says.
The courtyard can be accessed from a number of rooms through folding glass doors.
The dining table, where the whole family comes together, is in a central position that gets plenty of natural light.
Find industrial-style dining tables in the Houzz Shop
The dining table, where the whole family comes together, is in a central position that gets plenty of natural light.
Find industrial-style dining tables in the Houzz Shop
Next to it is the kitchen, with its black linoleum cabinet fronts. It marks the transition from the dining area to a comfy living room. Reetz designed it himself. The color palette continues with the mastic asphalt floor, while the illuminated central oak section brings a radiant warmth to the dark mix.
“Our goal was to maintain the industrial flair. That’s why we were able to quickly make decisions about materials and colors,” the architect says.
The open plan creates transitions between the interior and the exterior throughout the house, allowing the owners’ young daughter, for example, to ride her tricycle through the living area and into the courtyard without having to get off.
A flexible multipurpose space allows for the home’s setup to change with the family’s needs. It can turn into children’s bedrooms or an independent apartment later on.
A flexible multipurpose space allows for the home’s setup to change with the family’s needs. It can turn into children’s bedrooms or an independent apartment later on.
On the upper floor of the home are small, purely functional private rooms, such as the bedroom and a bathroom.
The home’s dominant color scheme and material mix continue in the bedroom. The large window and the translucent white curtains make for a bright space.
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Discover the many reasons to embrace sheer curtains
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Thanks to a heat pump and solar thermal and photovoltaic systems, the home almost reaches Passive House standards. It meets the needs of the owners while respecting building codes and addressing environmental concerns. And the former industrial building now blends harmoniously into the neighborhood.
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House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two children
Location: Cologne, Germany
Size: 1,938 square feet (180 square meters); one bedroom, two bathrooms
Architect: Jochen Reetz of DIIIP