Location: Wittlaer, Germany Year of construction: 1990 Architect::
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This unusual house looks more like a modern industrial building than a residential living space. It is situated in the small German town of Wittlaer, but also enjoys the many advantages offered by the nearby city of Dusseldorf. The family living in the house entertains a great deal and needs a spacious interior. Wolfgang Doring bore this requirement very much in mind when he designed the interior of the house, eliminating all unnecessary walls and only partitioning off those areas requiring their own privacy. The idea of virtually creating one vast, multifunctional room inspired the architect to give the building an industrial, high-tech look. Wolfgang Doring designed the house in Wittlaer as a rectangular pavilion with a terrace at one end. The garage lies parallel to one of the long sides of the terrace. Above this first-floor |
level, he added a prism-shape structure that houses the master bedroom and two smaller, adjoining rooms. Next to this tower-like structure, a centrally located metal cylinder contains the spiral staircase linking the two levels.
On the outside, the building is surrounded by a red-painted metal framework that gives it its characteristic industrial appearance.
Left: The northeast elevation is completely closed off from the road by masonry panels. The only opening on this side of the house is the main entrance to the building: a narrow salmon- colored door whose yellow canopy creates an interesting note of contrast.
Above: On the southwest elevation, huge windows supported by an aluminum framework create a visual transition between the interior and exterior spaces.
The kitchen was conceived as a physical and visual barrier. Next to it, a metal cylinder acts as a closet.
Doring designed the house as a huge horizontal block of metal in which the different areas interconnect freely. Physical and visual barriers have been kept to a minimum, leaving the interior as open as possible. This all – embracing desire for space is reflected in the fluid transition between the entrance hall, the main living room, and the dining area.
Right-hand page: The decor is dominated by contemporary-style furniture in black and dark gray. However, a touch of warmth is provided by the salmon drapes that help to offset the coldness of this ultraspacious house.