Mark Booth , Managing Director , Gira UK says “ As a business , we are very proud that we can work with architects to bring the latest home technology to older properties worldwide , as our cities continue to evolve and building stock shifts from commercial to residential . Loft H in Cologne is a superb example of a highly personalized interior which is enhanced with the iconic Gira E2 collection so that the lighting controls elevate the luxe feel of the interiors and provide a common thread running through the whole project . Thanks to the robust plastic housing , the owners will be able to enjoy their Gira E2 switches for many years to come as well as having the freedom to easily connect them to a Gira smart home system in the future , if required .“
Jochen Reetz , Founder and Owner , DIPP says , “ Due to the rapid pace of digital development , clients can often find it difficult to choose a technology in the knowledge that it might be completely out of date just a few years after installation . Many clients continue to struggle to weigh up the security concerns , costs and maintenance needs against the added value that these systems bring . Planners and professionals play a huge role in the decision-making process and can help to guide home-owners towards an individual and appropriate solution based on factors such as the clients ’ priorities , budget , property size , technical expertise and current situation .“
Loft H is divided into three distinct zones compromising a spacious living and dining area , a bedroom area with an open-plan shower room , and a guest and relaxation area for everyday life and work . The uncomplicated and minimalist style of the loft features rich surfaces and bold
contrasts , embracing its industrial past . In the living and dining area , steel , glass and Beton Ciré concrete create a seamlessly co-ordinated look . Ensuring a neat and tidy aesthetic is crucial so the homeowners have a generous amount of cupboard space distributed around the large kitchen island .
Materials such as steel and glass , combined with a concrete-effect finish , create a clear industrial aesthetic around the large work table in the living and dining area . Opposite the dining table and bathed in natural light , you can find a small and cosy sitting area ideal for reading or intimate conversation with guests . Thanks to integrated storage , the home owners can keep this space clutterfree . On the free wall , the black switches are an eye-catching contrasting feature in the four-metre-high space
The concept is the perfect backdrop for the clearly defined shapes of the Gira E2 design line . “ The Gira E2 design line is streamlined and timeless . It represents pure function , so the person looking at it or using it does not question its role in the design concept . Contrast is always easier for us than complete co-ordination . It creates authentic and elegant accents ,” explains architect Jochen Reetz , who opted for black matt switches and socket outlets from the Gira E2 design line throughout the apartment . The streamlined , square aesthetic of the Gira E2 design line blends in perfectly with the black window frames and black ceiling lights , without stealing the limelight from the rest of the interior .
The bedroom features a unique combination of natural materials and industrial accents with white-washed Dinesen floorboards , light mosaic tiles and industrial-style furniture made from Douglas wood create a calming atmosphere . The industrial look extends to the bathroom in a softer form with the black ceiling lights and the Gira E2 switches providing the only gentle reminders of the heritage of the space .
SOURCEBOOK Installed Gira products : Gira E2 Design Line Architect : DIIP Architektur | Aachener Strasse 310 | D-50933 Cologne | Tel + 49 ( 0 ) 221 846 5980-1 | Email hello @ diip . net | Website www . diip . net Photos : Annika Feuss , www . annikafeuss . com
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