The Frankfurt penthouse by Holzrausch is a 400-square-metre residence created within a Wilhelminian-era building, extended with a two-storey rooftop addition and terrace. German studio Holzrausch reworked the attic structure to introduce a more open layout, replacing traditional compartmentalized rooms with a continuous sequence of living spaces. Full-height Kambala wood panelling wraps walls, ceilings, and built-in elements, forming a unified interior shell that defines circulation and storage.
A stainless steel kitchen block sits centrally within the main living area, contrasting with the surrounding wood surfaces and terrazzo flooring. A sculptural spiral staircase connects the primary level to an upper study and roof terrace, introducing vertical movement within the space. Large glass openings frame views of surrounding treetops, while the layout aligns living, dining, and kitchen zones along a single axis leading outward. The project combines wood, metal, and stone through fixed joinery and integrated architectural elements.
Frankfurt Penthouse Interiors
Holzrausch Renovates Wilhelminian-Era Penthouse with Wood Details
Trend Themes
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Monolithic Wood Interiors — The pervasive use of full-height wood panelling as a continuous interior shell suggests opportunities for prefabricated volumetric timber systems that redefine interior finish and storage integration.
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Material Contrast Minimalism — Contrasting brutal metals and refined natural stone against warm timber indicates potential for hybrid material components that create sculptural focal points within minimalist spaces.
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Open-plan Heritage Retrofit — The fusion of historic building shells with expansive, linear layouts points to scalable retrofit methodologies that preserve façades while reimagining internal circulation and spatial sequencing.
Industry Implications
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Residential Architecture — Design practices centered on renovating period buildings could be transformed by modular interventions that balance preservation with contemporary open-plan living.
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High-end Joinery and Millwork — Craft-focused manufacturers may see shifts toward integrated, customizable joinery products that combine storage, circulation, and finish into single engineered systems.
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Luxury Kitchen and Appliance Manufacturing — Producers of premium kitchen blocks and appliances could capitalize on demand for statement, freestanding metal volumes that seamlessly integrate with bespoke interior shells.