Street view of a building with a white facade and vertical windows, surrounded by trees.

A street view of a building with a white facade featuring vertical windows, surrounded by trees and a crosswalk in the foreground.

Story

A Dialogue Between Past and Present In the historic town of Kaiserswerth, Düsseldorf, Carter’s House architectural evolution. Originally a carter’s yard from the 1920s, the building has been transformed by Nidus into a harmonious ensemble that respects its layered history. The project features a shared courtyard, lush with perennials and ivy, creating a microclimate that enhances the living experience. The renovation process involved a careful peeling back of layers to reveal the building's character, shaped by decades of alterations. The lime-washed clinker façade, facing the street, exudes a quiet dignity, while the new timber courtyard house introduces a dynamic interplay of light and dark. Inside, the spatial sequence unfolds through a path that connects public and private spaces, guided by light and framed views.

Design Highlights

Sensitive integration of historical and new architectural elements Creation of a microclimate with a shared courtyard Use of a limited material palette for spatial clarity Dramatic spatial sequence inspired by Josef Frank’s essay

Key Facts

Key Aspect Description
Architect Nidus
Location Düsseldorf, Germany
Year Completed 2023
Original Structure 1920s carter’s yard
Key Materials Lime-washed clinker, timber, oak
Special Features Microclimate courtyard, sculptural façade

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Façade: Light lime-washed clinker façade with a cross bond pattern for new sections.
  • Interior Walls: Grey-white painted walls.
  • Flooring: Brown clay tiles on the ground floor and narrow dark-stained oak floorboards on the upper levels.

Materials

  • Brick — Exterior façade
  • Wood — Windows, interior elements, and furniture
  • Tile — Flooring

Construction / Systems

  • Structural System: The building retains its historical structure with new timber elements integrated.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: light lime, dark timber, grey-white
  • Lighting: Natural light is used to create brighter and darker zones, enhancing the atmosphere.

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