House Leaf | Basement with bright Daylight

Full Daylight, more Space – An inviting Atmosphere, even entirely below Ground

After all the necessary permits were granted, I began detailed planning of the basement with a friend, an experienced structural draftsman and now CEO of a real estate company. The goal was to design this area so that it would receive more daylight than the ground floor and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere – without feeling like being underground.

Although some initially doubted whether this would be feasible, I was convinced that an innovative mirror system, combined with fresh air circulation and skylights, would make this possible. The spacious staircase design and high ceilings were key elements in making the space feel open and expansive. Bright, high-quality materials completed the design, giving the basement a sense of airiness and freshness.

Great care was taken to ensure that the peaceful garden design was not disrupted by the light shafts. Therefore, I carefully planned where each shaft would be placed (see garden design).

Another highlight was the integration of a new, spacious garage that seamlessly fits into the overall design and no longer resembles a traditional garage, except for its function of housing cars. The old garage was converted into a billiard room, the laundry room was repositioned and enlarged, and an additional living area, along with another bathroom, extended the basement. The garden also received its own small fitness studio (see garden design).

The result: Spacious living areas that surprise, an inviting garage, and a completely redefined basement.