IDK Apartment Renovation, This project deals with the renovation of an apartment in a large-scale residential complex from the 1970s in the outskirts of Cologne. The apartment is inhabited by a family of four. With 82 m2 of living space, it is small by today‘s standards. Nowadays, 47 m2 per person are average in Germany. Our objective is to bring the apartment in line with contemporary spatial expectations. This invariably led to questions about standards of living, appropriateness and adaptability of existing structures in transformation scenarios.
© Jan Voigt
The apartment’s layout is defined by two distinct halves: one harboring the individual rooms and the other dedicated to family living. We kept the general layout of the apartment, but removed all non load-bearing walls. In their place, sliding partitions were introduced. The sliding doors are based on a system of T-slot aluminum profiles, typically employed in mechanical engineering. This transformation allows the apartment to assume different configurations: with the walls open, the children‘s rooms expand into the living space and the bathroom doubles as an open laundry room. Throughout the day, there is a constant flux between privacy and openness.
Project Info
Architects: Demo Working Group
Country: Germany, Cologne
Area: 82 m²
Year: 2023
Photographs: Jan Voigt
Program / Use / Building Function: Apartment for a family of 4
Lead Architects: Demo Working Group
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.