New single-family house in Messen

Realization 2000-01

Main idea: Use the properties of the situation

The plot is located on the edge of the building zone and benefits from an unobstructed view over the agricultural zone to the west. The aim of the design was to maintain the same quality and orientation for all living spaces. The solution resulted in an elongated building with an access axis on the east side.

Specifically: Residential building, seating area and car shelter under one roof / large window front with uniform dimensions of the opening sashes.

0701 Extension conservatory in wood on the Lenk

Façade renovation with new construction of larger balconies

Realization 2006-2009

Main idea: uniform balconies can be used individually

Building renovations make sense, keep buildings fit and enhance the value of old properties. In most cases, old buildings lack more space, energy efficiency measures, spaciousness or quality of light. With clever extensions, clear concepts and unconventional solutions, these buildings become more attractive.

Special: flexible weather and privacy protection for balconies with sliding elements.

Aim / philosophy

The aim of the planned conversion and renovation work was to retain the existing building structure and the character of the farmhouse as far as possible and, with great respect for the existing building, to gently bring it up to the standard required today.
The existing rooms on the upper floor, which were only accessible from the outside via the arbor, were to be accessed from the inside.
The renovation of the kitchen and bathroom from the early 1970s and the installation of a heating system with the associated insulation of the building envelope were also necessary.
The kitchen with the mezzanine floor above and the old smoker's kitchen was transformed into a large, bright living space with access to the fountain courtyard and the new garden seating area.
The unclad material aesthetics fit in with the history of the house.

Description

The approx. 110-year-old residential part was gently renovated and repaired. Additional glazing with a door protects the well courtyard and the house entrance from the wind and weather. The original room height of 2.20 m in the existing rooms was retained. To compensate for this, the ceiling of the old kitchen was raised by around 1.5 meters. At the same time, this room was connected to the old smoke kitchen and opened up on both sides with a large window front. When the two rooms were joined together, walls and cladding installed later were removed, revealing natural brickwork. From this central space, there is access to the old rooms on the first floor and the new bathroom, as well as to the upper floor via the new staircase, for which the old external staircase was renovated and moved inwards.
This newly created room is a living room, eat-in kitchen and covered outdoor space all in one, forming the heart of the house with a view of the house entrance on one side, the hayloft through a window above the kitchen and the apple orchard and the new seating area on the other.
The bathroom and living room are heated by underfloor heating in the sanded and transparently sealed underlay floor, while slatted radiators have been installed in the rooms. The heat is generated by the new heat pump. The wooden floors in the rooms on the upper floor were sanded and oiled, while linoleum was chosen as the new floor covering in the basement. The walls and ceilings in all rooms were sandblasted to remove the old paint from the coffered paneling.
When it came to thermal insulation, the decision was made in favour of the room size and the preservation of the coffered paneling on the outside. This decision
gave the house its new look. The vertical wooden slat cladding blends in discreetly with the surroundings, with only the underlying timber frame construction and the existing extension being accentuated in a light color, thus creating a colorful accent.