In Münster’s historic downtown, hehnpohl architektur have realized a residential building that responds thoughtfully to its surroundings. Completed in 2022, the “House by the Buddenturm” sits just steps from one of the few preserved medieval towers of the city wall. Its contemporary gabled form and carefully chosen materials pay homage to local tradition while asserting a distinct architectural voice.
Address/Directions
Haus am Buddenturm
Münzstraße 20
48143 Münster
Directions
“Our aim was to design a house that is unmistakably modern, but completely at home in Münster. The context gave us our rhythm, our silhouette, and our scale.”
Built on a narrow urban plot, the house rises four stories behind a steeply pitched roof. Its proportions and alignment continue the rhythm of the street, while its sharply cut silhouette gives it a sculptural quality. The façade is clad in handmade clinker brick, a material deeply embedded in the architectural heritage of Westphalia. Window openings are precisely placed—recessed, framed, and sized to modulate light and privacy.
The ground floor opens to the street with a tall arched entrance, echoing the historic gateways of the city’s town houses. A deep window niche on the upper floor breaks the plane of the façade, creating a moment of spatial tension and visual interest. The building’s geometry is both restrained and expressive—traditional in form, contemporary in execution.
Inside, the house is organized across split levels, maximizing spatial flow within a compact footprint. The material palette is reduced, but rich in texture: polished screed, raw oak, plastered brick, and exposed concrete. The interplay of daylight and materiality lends warmth and intimacy to every room.
Integrated storage, built-in seating, and custom stair elements reflect the architects’ attention to detail. Sight lines are carefully choreographed to frame views toward the Buddenturm and the surrounding cityscape.
For doors and windows, hehnpohl architektur selected FSB 1242—a custom-developed model based on their own design. Made of bronze and stainless steel, the handle echoes the building’s blend of precision and patina. Its curved top and flat underside mirror the project’s balance between formality and softness.
As it ages, the bronze takes on a natural patina, resonating with the timeworn textures of the city. The handle becomes not just a detail, but a touchpoint that links contemporary architecture to the deeper layers of Münster’s built environment.
