Vera Köller & Lukas Cober: Conversion of an old miner’s house near Maastricht
Vera Köller is a surgeon at a hospital in Eschweiler. Artist and product designer Lukas Cober runs a studio for sculptural furniture in Maastricht. Both are from Aachen and live with their dog in a converted miner’s house near Maastricht.
Vera Köller: I’ve always wanted to be close to nature. The house stood on the edge of the forest. It was built of marlstone like the mountain, with vaulted ceilings, old doors and direct access to the mountain, to the caves.
Lukas Cober: When we found it, I immediately sensed its potential. Our plan was to start the renovation as soon as we moved in. We put mattresses down in the dusty living room and began working in the next room. That’s how the house took shape organically, step by step.
VK: We poured concrete floors, insulated the roof, tore out walls and hauled blocks of stone. I’m not afraid of hard work – I know how to get things done. As the house became more and more beautiful, we continued to grow and connect more deeply with what truly matters.
LC: Vera brought colour into the house – like the yellow mirror and the yellow staircase. I wasn’t so keen at first, because I wanted everything to be clean and minimalist. But now it’s a mix of both, and I’m really happy with the way it turned out.
Vera Köller: I’ve always wanted to be close to nature. The house stood on the edge of the forest. It was built of marlstone like the mountain, with vaulted ceilings, old doors and direct access to the mountain, to the caves.
Lukas Cober: When we found it, I immediately sensed its potential. Our plan was to start the renovation as soon as we moved in. We put mattresses down in the dusty living room and began working in the next room. That’s how the house took shape organically, step by step.
VK: We poured concrete floors, insulated the roof, tore out walls and hauled blocks of stone. I’m not afraid of hard work – I know how to get things done. As the house became more and more beautiful, we continued to grow and connect more deeply with what truly matters.
LC: Vera brought colour into the house – like the yellow mirror and the yellow staircase. I wasn’t so keen at first, because I wanted everything to be clean and minimalist. But now it’s a mix of both, and I’m really happy with the way it turned out.
‘We either design our own furniture or choose pieces for their materials and feel. Craftsmanship is at the heart of everything. It has to have a personal touch and a certain lightness.’
Lukas Cober
VK: We’ve also had to adapt. Living here means living with nature – with high humidity and frequent shade. But it also means protection. You feel embraced by the forest and the mountain.
LC: For me, ‘making’ means working with my hands. We either design our own furniture or choose pieces for their materials and feel. Craftsmanship is at the heart of everything. It has to have a personal touch and a certain lightness.
VK: For us, furniture has to tell a story or has to be self-made. Furniture that inspires, that is not just functional, brings a house to life.
LC: The house will never be finished. It is a constantly evolving project. For me, the creative process must always continue. That also applies to this house.
LC: For me, ‘making’ means working with my hands. We either design our own furniture or choose pieces for their materials and feel. Craftsmanship is at the heart of everything. It has to have a personal touch and a certain lightness.
VK: For us, furniture has to tell a story or has to be self-made. Furniture that inspires, that is not just functional, brings a house to life.
LC: The house will never be finished. It is a constantly evolving project. For me, the creative process must always continue. That also applies to this house.
