When Robert Volhard's children left for boarding school, the founder of architecture magazine Stylepark decided it was time for a radical transformation. Moving just one floor up in his late 19th-century Frankfurt building, Volhard and his wife Patricia completely reimagined their living space, creating a California-inspired mid-century modern apartment with breathtaking views of the city skyline.
The transformation from their previous traditional apartment could not be more dramatic. Gone are the swing doors, stucco walls, and oak parquet flooring that characterized their former home. In their place stands a light-filled, wood-paneled space that opens onto expansive windows, where the greenery of trees flows inside like breathing curtains, creating an almost Californian lightness that contrasts sharply with the building's 19th-century exterior.
Robert and Patricia Volhard have lived in this Frankfurt Westend building for 18 years, in the same house his parents purchased in the 1970s. Patricia, a lawyer and partner at an international business law firm, commutes between Frankfurt, Paris, and London. Robert studied architecture at ETH but quickly abandoned practice to found Stylepark, an architecture and design magazine, 25 years ago in Frankfurt.
The couple's decision to undertake a major renovation came at a pivotal moment in their lives. When it became clear that their children would be leaving for boarding school and the roof needed urgent repairs, they decided against a simple renovation and opted instead for a radical architectural transformation. "For our retirement, we wanted to treat ourselves to a rooftop garden in the heart of the city," Robert explained. However, there was one significant obstacle: Robert detests sloped roofs and found the idea of living in an attic unbearable.
The solution came through a chance encounter at a friend's party, where they met architect Peter Begon. "He told me about his projects," the architect recalls. "There was already a sketch, but the building law obstacles seemed insurmountable." Fortunately, B.A.S. Architekten, led by Peter Begon in Frankfurt, specializes not only in renovating late 19th-century buildings but also in fulfilling the aspirations of modern urbanites.
"In the 19th century, buildings had a representative character, and the distinction between public and private was clearly hierarchical," Begon explains. "Today, many people seek openness, light, and lightness." The architects replaced the old mansard floor with its sharp angles with an almost rectilinear construction, opened to the rear toward the city, softened the angles of the unused attic, and created a green roof. They also advocated for a spacious floor plan, though this initially met resistance from Robert, who protested that they needed walls to hang paintings. Peter Begon's sharp response settled the matter: did he prefer to live in an apartment or in a museum?
Upon entering the transformed space, visitors find themselves in the middle of the kitchen, facing an imposing stainless steel block. "Some people find it disturbing," Robert says with a slight shrug, "but I love to cook." For this design-passionate chef, efficiency and aesthetics are not incompatible. From the planning phase, he made it clear he was serious about every detail. "Robert sent us a detailed list in advance, ranging from kitchen layout to the dimensions of books in the library," recalls Sven Petzold from the Munich-based Holzrausch agency. "I thought to myself: either this is going to be incredibly difficult, or everything will go smoothly."
Everything proceeded smoothly, even though Sven Petzold first had to convince the clients to hide their battery of pans behind wooden facades to prevent the space from being too fragmented. The Munich firm, known for their uncompromising attention to detail, designed the entire interior, including the lighting. "At Holzrausch, you can sense that they don't just plan, but they also know how the project will ultimately be built," Robert explains. For him, it was a matter of honor anyway: "I had wanted a Holzrausch kitchen for years. In the end, it became a bit more than that: the entire apartment."
The agency found in Robert Volhard a grateful client who not only knows about decoration but also appreciates the charm of the ephemeral. "Robert is really open to experimentation," Sven Petzold explains. "He was willing to mix materials. And he's not afraid of patina." This choice is justified: depending on sun exposure, the wall paneling will develop patina at different rates. They opted for certified tropical Kambala wood because European veneer grain quickly takes on a somewhat austere appearance, as Sven Petzold explains. "Kambala allows more freedom: the wood grain seems freer, more generous, more soothing."
The wooden partition behind the counter also conceals an almost mysterious sculpture: a metal lattice staircase that spirals upward like molded relief, giving the adjacent room a theatrical appearance. Robert Volhard had discovered a similar piece in Frankfurt's Jil Sander boutique and brought it to life here, almost like a quotation. Once upstairs, one discovers a small reflection room with a desk and a view of the greenery: a private world so isolated that it almost feels like being on vacation. Under the pergola, there's a little air of Tuscany, and by squinting slightly, one can even glimpse cypresses on the horizon.
The mansard floor has been transformed into a single fluid space where kitchen, living room, and dining room align naturally. For decorating their room, each of the twins was able to choose some design objects from their parents' collection. The daughter notably opted for an aluminum chair by Paul Kelley. Above it, a self-portrait of their grandmother with her as a baby hangs on the wall.
"Actually, we only moved up one floor," Robert Volhard reflects, "and yet we lead a completely different life." The transformation extends to the rooftop terrace, where the couple enjoys entertaining friends around their Paola Lenti table. "Some people find the Konstantin Grcic chairs uncomfortable," the homeowner explains, "but even my mother-in-law likes to sit in them." The workspace features a "Razionalista Soft" chair from Dimoremilano, perfectly suited for working rigorously while enjoying views of the rooftop terrace.
The project represents more than just a renovation; it's a complete lifestyle transformation that proves how thoughtful design can create entirely new ways of living within existing architectural constraints. The staircase leading to the apartment, covered with blue-patterned carpet from Ege Carpets, serves as a transition between the building's 19th-century grandeur and the couple's mid-century modern sanctuary above.
