Padded Built-Ins—and a Slide for Kids—Evoke Start-Up Culture at This Family Home in Germany

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Project Details:

Location: Stuttgart, Germany

Architect: Studio Alexander Fehre

Footprint: 1,292 square feet

Photographer: Philip Kottlorz / @philipkottlorz

From the Architect: "The Stuttgart-based Studio Alexander Fehre has designed a new interior for an old villa to house a family. With the planning and execution, the interior architects aimed for a convincing emotional answer to the clients’ wishes.

"This approach is immediately visible in the element that defines the ground floor: an L-shaped storage space, which, thanks to its smooth curves, structures and generates the flow of the entire floor. In the planning, a wooden slat structure was proposed for the fronts: an idea the clients were initially skeptical about, but eventually followed the architect’s vision."

"In the case of Villa L, there was not a desire to design a conventional living room with a sofa, floor lamps, and TV. Instead, the task was to create a child-friendly and cozy house, which is why the interior architects aimed for a quieter design. It materializes in the white color of the walls; the lightly oiled Scandinavian oak of the slatted wall which features matching beige and brown tones, distinct alcoves, and an L-shaped wall element; an open fireplace, and storage spaces that disappear behind smooth fronts. The windows were enlarged, the terrace converted, the screed removed, and underfloor heating installed.

"Apart from the structural interventions, all the fixtures and fittings are bespoke. Glass shelves opposite the front door serve just as much as a spectacular design element as a light opening for the kitchen. A stone block with front drawers in the same style creates a massive island for cooking as well as for family dining.

"The children’s lounge is a particularly eye-catching design feature, which was another explicit wish of the clients who envisioned a children’s living room rather than separate the small ones from the adults. It features a slide, an alcove, and a tiered structure that allows for free play. The slide and steps can be removed, and thus adapt to the changing needs of each age."