MIKI 1 House by Alexander Brenner Architects — Two Distinct Villas, One Shared Facade

Alexander Brenner Architects designed a compelling residential project in Stuttgart, Germany, where two separate villas share a single, unified frontage. The concept creates a cohesive street presence while offering two independently planned and atmospherically distinct homes behind the same white volume. The only physical links between the two dwellings are the shared front facade and a central staircase that organizes access.

From the street, a clean white elevation conceals the dual nature of the building. Behind this restrained front volume, the MIKI 1 House unfolds as a duplex in which each side responds to different family needs: one side is composed of a sequence of defined rooms and intimate spaces; the other adopts a more open, flowing plan with generous, interconnected areas and direct access from the garage. A set of wider outdoor steps in the front yard, positioned slightly above garage level, reinforces the building’s measured approach to scale and entrance sequence.

The western half of the duplex is arranged around a more conventional sequence of rooms designed to meet the everyday needs of a family. This side emphasizes compartmentalized spaces and a layered interior experience. A circular staircase acts as the vertical spine here, connecting the levels and contributing a sculptural element to the interior circulation.

The eastern half takes an opposite approach: open-plan living with expansive spaces and a dynamic layout that encourages fluid interaction and flexibility. This side benefits from direct access to the garage, making daily routines convenient. The apartment includes a luxury master suite with a remarkable 14-metre long dressing room fitted with built-in wardrobes, as well as a glazed wine cellar that adds a refined, atmospheric touch to the home. The dining area is sized to host large meals and gatherings, and the living area is designed to accommodate extended family occasions with ease.

Adjacent to the bedroom on the eastern side, a private swimming pool stretches out, inviting occupants to enjoy an early-morning dip. The pool is designed for year-round use with roof-mounted solar collectors that continuously heat the water. This integration of solar heating offers enhanced comfort while aligning with an energy-conscious approach to amenity design. The combination of indoor-outdoor connections, generous communal spaces and dedicated private zones creates a lifestyle that feels part home, part retreat.

Overall, Alexander Brenner Architects’ MIKI 1 House demonstrates how a single architectural gesture—a unified front elevation and a shared staircase—can successfully accommodate two different lifestyle models within one building. The project balances privacy and community, formal restraint and interior richness, and practical circulation with elegant spatial sequences. For families seeking generous living areas, ample storage and amenities like a glazed wine cellar and heated pool, this duplex offers a thoughtful, well-resolved solution that reads as a single refined villa from the street while performing as two independent homes inside.